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Matthew and Laura safe from first DWTS dance-off after stunning routine puts them top

Updated / Monday, 14 Feb 2022 08:40
Matthew MacNabb said of his dance partner Laura Nolan - "Laura's brilliant and her choreographing skills are amazing. This dance in particular - she knows how much it meant to me"
Matthew MacNabb said of his dance partner Laura Nolan - "Laura's brilliant and her choreographing skills are amazing. This dance in particular - she knows how much it meant to me"

Love Island star Matthew MacNabb and his professional dance partner Laura Nolan delivered a stunning routine on Sunday's Dancing with the Stars, winning immunity from next week's dance-off when the judges' scores and viewers' votes were combined.

Dedicated Dance Night saw the celebrities dedicating their performances to a key figure in their lives. Matthew dedicated his Contemporary Ballroom performance to his late friend Ryan Freeman, who passed away during the summer.

The judges hailed it as Matthew's best performance with professional partner Laura to date. They received their highest score of the series so far, 26.

Paralympic champion Ellen Keane and her partner Stephen Vincent had topped the judges' scores with 28, but when the viewers' votes were added, Matthew and Laura were top, becoming the only couple to be granted immunity from next week's dance-off - the first of the new series.

"Honestly, this was the easiest week we had," Matthew told RTÉ Entertainment. "For some reason, it just clicked with me straight away. I was able to rehearse on Wednesday, I think, and I only learned the dance on Monday evening. I think that was due to the story and the flow of it - how well Laura choreographed it to reflect the story. Laura's brilliant and her choreographing skills are amazing. This dance in particular - she knows how much it meant to me."

Dancing with the Stars, Sundays, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, 6:30pm

The story of the night:

Nina Carberry and Pasquale La Rocca

The first couple of the night danced the Salsa to Nicki Minaj's Starships, with jockey Nina dedicating the performance to her daughters Rosie and Holly.

Head Judge Loraine Barry said it was "the way to get a party started". She described it as "really full" and told Nina not to be upset about the missed lift. "You absolutely ignited the whole room tonight," she concluded.

Arthur Gourounlian said Nina had made her daughters very happy. He saluted her for trying a pencil lift during the routine.

Brian Redmond said it was "a little bit flat energy-wise in the middle" but only in comparison to the start and finish. He described it as "not a perfect Salsa, but a very good try". Nina and Pasquale scored 24 points.

Billy McGuinness and Hannah Kelly

The second couple of the night danced Contemporary Ballroom to Aslan's Crazy World, with the band's guitarist Billy dedicating the performance to his best friend and frontman Christy Dignam.

Arthur Gourounlian said he found it a bit robotic but stressed: "Dancing with your feet is one thing, but dancing with your heart is another. And you danced with your heart tonight."

Brian Redmond said Billy was dancing the most challenging routine he would face in the show and that although he did not have the dance skills to portray in dance the emotions he was feeling, it was still the best dance Billy could have done.

Loraine Barry said it was personal for Billy: "It's your song and your friend and you're paying this massive tribute to him." She concluded: "I know I enjoyed it and I know everyone enjoyed it." Billy and Hannah scored 17 points.

Ellen Keane and Stephen Vincent

The third couple of the night danced the Paso Doble to Beyoncé's Run the World (Girls), with Paralympic champion Ellen dedicating the routine to her best friend, Aisling Byrne.

Brian Redmond said the Flamenco section was "a little bit messy". However, he loved how Ellen got the "body involved and filled out those shapes". Ultimately, he described it as "beautiful".

Loraine Barry said Ellen had "laid down the gauntlet" and "all the moves were in there". "You packed a punch tonight," she told her.

Arthur Gourounlian said it was a "smashing routine". He saluted Ellen's focus, determination and girl power. "That's what makes a champion," he said, adding that Ellen had done Beyoncé proud. Ellen and Stephen scored 28 from the judges, including a 10 from Arthur - their first 10.

Gráinne Seoige and John Nolan

The fourth couple danced the Samba to Toto's Africa, with broadcaster Gráinne dedicating the performance to her husband, Leon Jordaan.

Loraine Barry said the Samba content was there but that Gráinne was "was not selling it enough". She urged Gráinne to "let her whole body go".

Arthur Gourounlian called on Gráinne to give it her all. "I believe in you. I know you can give more!" he said.

Brian Redmond said "all the fundamentals were there". He said Gráinne "let go" after making a mistake and that fierceness is what she needs to bring to the rest of her performances. Gráinne and John scored 17.

Jordan Conroy and Salome Chachua

The fifth couple of the night danced the Foxtrot to Stevie Wonder's Isn't She Lovely, with rugby player Jordan dedicating the routine to his mother Jennie.

Arthur Gourounlian said that anyone "that dedicates that dance to their mother gets my vote". However, he expected "a little bit more" from Jordan. He wanted to see the passion back in Jordan next week.

Brian Redmond agreed with Arthur that it was "a little bit wooden in places". However, he said Jordan was "fantastic across the shoulder line" and his "spine was beautiful".

Loraine Barry said Jordan did a good Foxtrot and all the steps were there but it "wasn't quite fluid enough". Jordan and Salome scored 19.

Nicolas Roche and Karen Byrne

The sixth couple of the night danced the Quickstep to Avicii's Hey Brother, with cyclist Nicolas dedicating the performance to his brother Alexis.

Brian Redmond said Nicolas was "very good in the frame" but it was a "bit walky, a bit heavy" in parts. He told him to develop "more swing".

Loraine Barry said she had seen "a huge improvement". She wanted to see more "trot" in the Quickstep but added that Nicolas "did a good job".

Arthur Gourounlian said Nicolas "really embraced the challenge". "Beautiful Quickstep, great job," he concluded. Nicolas and Karen scored 19.

Erica-Cody and Denys Samson

The seventh couple of the night danced the Tango to Samantha Mumba's Body II Body, with singer Erica-Cody dedicating the performance to the woman herself.

Loraine Barry said there "great moments of that staccato" but that it got "a little bit tight on the left-hand side". She added: "It's all there; we just needed to release that a little bit more."

Arthur Gourounlian said Erica-Cody had the "sharp, clipped movement" with her head and "the lines" and "the posture" - but he wasn't blown away by the dance. "You had five amazing weeks," he said, "but I feel tonight didn't reach that level."

Brian Redmond said the Tango needed tension, power and release, but the release was missing in the performance. "Still really, really good," he added, "but maybe just not quite Erica good, if you know what I mean." Erica-Cody and Denys scored 20.

Matthew MacNabb and Laura Nolan

The final couple of the night danced Contemporary Ballroom to Charlie Puth's See You Again, with Love Island star Matthew dedicating his performance to his late friend Ryan Freeman.

An emotional Arthur Gourounlian raved about Matthew's storytelling and the lift, describing it as "so intimate". "I'm so proud of you, the best night yet for you," he said through tears.

Brian Redmond said it was "heartfelt and committed" and "leagues above" how Matthew had danced for weeks.

Loraine Barry said it was "just beautiful". "This performance stood out for me tonight," she concluded. Matthew and Laura scored 26, their highest score so far.

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