![It's back! Dancing with the Stars officially returned to RTÉ One on Sunday evening [All pics from Kyran O'Brien]](https://www.rte.ie/images/001d1a7c-800.jpg)
Dancing with the Stars is back! Series six of the popular show officially returned to RTÉ One live on Sunday - and it was worth the wait.
Presenter Jennifer Zamparelli returned to the glittering studio alongside new presenter Doireann Garrihy. Overseeing all the proceedings were judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.
The dancefloor was lit up from the get-go as the celebrity and professional dancers along with the presenters all danced together to The Saturday's hit, What Are You Waiting For?
For the opening show, the female dancers brought out their best Latin moves, while the male dancers performed a Ballroom dance. This will be reversed next week.
There was no elimination on Sunday, with votes from show one and show two being carried over to show three. This will be the first show where one of the dancers will be eliminated.
She shoots, she scores!
The first celebrity to take to the dancefloor was footballer Stephanie Roche who is partnered with Ervinas Merfeldas.
They did a sensational Cha Cha to Crazy What Love Can Do? by David Guetta, Becky Hill & Ella Henderson.
Loraine Barry praised Stephanie for kicking off proceedings, saying: "Congratulations on opening the show. It's not an easy thing to do."
The longtime judge also commended the sports star for a seamless routine with "no mess-up at all".
Arthur Gourounlian said Stephanie "should be very proud" of herself for opening the show and said going forward he would like to see "more oomph from you".
Stephanie and Ervinas scored an impressive 13 points from the judges. Well done guys!
It So-Suits You!
The second couple to perform were entrepreneur Suzanne Jackson along with her professional partner Michael Danilczuk who has just joined the series this year.
Their beautiful Samba was danced to Woman by Doja Cat, with their rousing routine scoring a sensational 23 points.
Brian Redmond said "there's a lot of positives here...I'm quite excited about what lies ahead".
Loraine agreed, adding: "I'm so excited for the next few weeks".
No funny feet here!
Comedian Kevin McGahern was the first male celebrity to bring ballroom to studio. He and Laura Nolan danced a Viennese Waltz to You Know Me by Robbie Williams.
Brian said it was "a decent standard for the ballroom boys to follow!"
Loraine saluted Kevin for a "very good start," while Arthur said he was "very impressed" and the couple did "very well".
Kevin and Laura scored 19 from the judges.
Off to a flying start!
Part three of the show opened with footballer Paul Brogan who is partnered with Salome Chachua.
Salome was the only female pro dancer to dance in last year's final. They brought an American Smooth to studio as they danced to Come Fly with Me by Michael Bublé.
A stunned Arthur said: "Those lifts - Oh My God!"
Paul and Salome scored 15 from the judges.
A star pupil
Actress Leah O' Rourke gave a nod to her Derry Girls days as she and professional dancer John Nolan danced a Paso Doble to School’s Out by the Glee cast.
Arthur said he loved Leah's "stage presence" and "interpretation of that dance".
Brian said her facial expressions were "brilliant at the start".
Leah and John scored 14 from the judges.
Did somebody call a doctor?
After another break, Dr. Marie Cassidy and her pro partner Stephen Vincent performed a Jive to Love Really Hurts Without You by Billy Ocean.
Brian loved her energy, while Loraine said it was "beautiful" and "excellent".
Arthur praised the pair for their "so cutie" routine and said he "can't wait" to see what the couple "bring next week"
Marie and Stephen scored 15 from the judges.
A Glee-ful performance!
Singer and former Glee star Damian McGinty and Kylee Vincent were the seventh couple to take their place on the dancefloor. Ed Sheeran's hit Shivers was the soundtrack for their Tango.
Loraine said "it was an excellent Tango...you guys are well on the way!"
Arthur added: "Tango is power - and you had that."
Damian and Kylee scored 19 from the judges.
Euro Star!
Singer Brooke Scullion along with her pro partner Maurizio Benenato were the next couple to perform. Their energetic Salsa was danced to Let Them Know by Mabel.
Arthur said it was a "magnificent" performance, adding "I couldn't take my eyes off you!"
Brian agreed and praised Brooke's "fabulous energy the whole way through".
Brooke and Maurizio scored a total of 25 from the judges. This is the highest score EVER received for a first dance on the show.
No radio silence here!
2FM radio presenter Carl Mullan is paired with dance partner Emily Barker. Their first dance was a Foxtrot to Daydream Believer by The Monkees.
Loraine praised Carl, saying: "there's potential there and you held your own".
Arthur added: "If the show was called 'Smiling with the Stars', you'd get a 10!"
Carl and Emily scored 16 from the judges.
Scrum-tastic!
Former rugby player Shane Byrne danced a Quickstep with Karen Byrne to Help! by The Beatles.
Loraine said: "I'm happy...I saw great agility."
Arthur added: "Please bring that energy and passion every week!"
Shane and Karen scored 17 from the judges.
Full of Bliss
The final couple to dance were Panti and Denys Samson. Their lively Cha, Cha, Cha was to I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston.
Arthur said: "Wow, wow, wow! What a historical moment. You gave it your all."
Brian agreed that it was "a fabulous performance".
Panti and Denys scored 23 from the judges.
What a week one!🪩
— DWTS Ireland (@DWTSIRL) January 8, 2023
Who had your vote after those first performances?! ✨ #DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/nCkj8wWxj7
The Dancing with the Stars official podcast returns tomorrow morning. Each Monday Lottie Ryan will be joined by Lyra and Brian Dowling as they cast a comical and critical eye over the previous night's show. The pod is available on the RTÉ Radio Player app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Dancing with the Stars, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, Sundays at 6:30pm.
