Rory O'Neill, aka Panti Bliss, topped the leaderboard in what was an emotional night on Dancing with the Stars as the remaining eight couples took part in Dedicated Dance week.
On Sunday night's show, each dance and accompanying song was carefully selected to honour someone special in the lives of the celebrity dancers.
There was no elimination at the end of the show meaning all couples will dance again next week. However, after topping the leaderboard, Rory and his pro partner Denys Samson won immunity and will now be exempt from the dreaded first dance-off of the series, which takes place next Sunday.
Their powerful and intense Paso Doble to the Pet Shop Boys’ It’s a Sin saw them score the highest combined vote between the judges’ scores and the public vote.
Rory dedicated the dance to Professor Fiona Mulcahy, one of the first doctors who treated him when he was diagnosed as HIV Positive in 1996.
Here is the story of the night:
First to take to the floor on Sunday night was 2fm's Carl Mullan with his professional partner Emily Barker who dedicated their Jive to Coldplay's Higher Power to Carl’s son, Daibhí.
Speaking ahead of their toe-tapping performance Carl said: "I want this dance to be as great as it possibly can be so that I have something I can look back on that I am really proud of."
Judge Loraine said: "It's about making memories and you are making one for your son... You had the kicks and you had the flicks. It was fully loaded.
"It was an excellent start."
Arthur added: "It really brought the best out in you tonight. This was a super performance."
Brian said: "It certainly was a higher power. Maybe too much in the kicking leg. I think you have to be given credit as the Jive is really fast, but you got it all done."
Carl and Emily scored a total of 23.
Damian McGinty and Kylee Vincent were next to shimmy onto the floor to dance Contemporary Ballroom to Becky Hill's version of Forever Young. Damian dedicated his performance to his friends from the hit show Glee.
His castmate Heather Morris, who played Brittany Pierce, sent a video message to the Derry native telling him to "have fun".
Judge Arthur said: "Wow wow wow, I am actually struggling to talk. That was stunning. J'adore. This dance will be forever memorable."
Brian said: "What I really liked was how the energy worked between you both. There were a couple of little stumbles which were a shame. The biggest compliment I can give you is that Kylee looked beautiful dancing alongside you."
Loraine added: "I feel your performance has truly paid homage to your friendships. The freedom of expression you had on your own... the trust was there. It was stunningly beautiful."
Damian and Kylee scored 27.
Suzanne Jackson and Michael Danilczuk danced the Cha Cha Cha to Irene Cara's Flashdance… What a Feeling – one of the biggest hits of 1983. They dedicated their performance to Suzanne's parents who are celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary this year.
Speaking before the couple took to the floor Suzanne's mam Susan said: "We are so so proud of her. She is so determined and I love that about her."
Judge Brian said: "I think you did a great job on the footwork. You got a little bit out of whack in places... a little bit wooden. You are very good in balance. I want to see you using Michael more for punch and energy. Just a bit more but not a bad Cha Cha Cha."
Loraine: "It's not an easy dance but you have put the work in. You had the swing of the hips. It was absolutely excellent. You started to let the upper body go and that's what I want."
Arthur said: "Sorry Miss Jackson that opening gave me life! There was nothing to be nervous about - that was a hot Cha Cha Cha. There was a little bit missing though - you have to let go more."
Suzanne and Michael scored 23.
Rugby legend Shane Byrne, who has been entertaining audiences for the last five weeks with his comedic turns alongside his partner Karen Byrne, showed a completely different side with a Viennese Waltz to the Queen classic We are the Champions. Shane dedicated his dance to his friend and former teammate, Anthony 'Axel' Foley who passed away suddenly in 2016.
Speaking ahead of their polished performance Shane said: "While remembering Anthony brings up pain, we want to also celebrate all that he stood for.
"I just want to get this dance right for my friend."
Judge Loraine said: "It was very touching for you, for Karen, for everyone here and Anthony's family. It was all about the swing and you had lots of it. It was a phenomenal job and I salute you. You did the most beautiful tribute to Axel."
Arthur added: "I know how important it was for you to get it right and right you did. It was absolutely stunning. You are getting stronger and stronger as a dancer."
Brian said: "I saw a little bit of hesitancy... maybe a lack of confidence. When you get into hold with Karen, the way you work with Karen is fantastic. You take criticism so well, Axel would be proud of you tonight."
Shane and Karen scored 23.
Comedian Kevin McGahern and Laura Nolan danced their Paso Doble to Nirvana's Smells like Teen Spirit in honour of Kevin’s daughter, Wallis.
Ahead of their dance, Kevin said: "She's a headbanger - this one is for you Wallis!"
Judge Arthur said: "The opening knee walks were so powerful. You are in it to win it. Bravo!"
Brian added: "You need to be careful about the hairspray! The energy was really nice. And the body shaping was captured really well. A little bit more articulation in the hands. In terms of a Paso Doble... I liked it."
Loraine said: "The opening was slow but full of Paso Doble steps and it was building up to a crescendo of steps. I was thinking how are you going to top this, but you went for it in the finale and what an ending it was."
Kevin and Laura scored 24.
Eurovision star Brooke Scullion and her partner Robert Rowiński honoured her mother, Tracy, with a Viennese Waltz to Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway.
Speaking about her mother, Brooke said: "We had quite a turbulent relationship... and now we have learned to communicate and love each other unconditionally. We are best friends."
Judge Brian said: "The really quick pivots are not always something we see - it was very creative. You deliver every week on the vision Robert sets out for you. A very good rendition of a Viennese Waltz."
Loraine said: "You have to have the swing in your legs and shoulders... and that's what I saw very much. You have to finish off things a little bit more. Sometimes you have so much zest you put yourself out of balance. But it was really beautiful."
Arthur added: "Well done for opening up tonight and telling us your story. You were flying on the stage - well done."
Brooke and Robert scored 25.
Footballer Stephanie Roche and her partner Ervinas Merfeldas also danced Contemporary Ballroom to the Rachel Platten hit Fight Song. Their dance was in honour of Stephanie's teammates on the Republic of Ireland Women’s team who threatened to strike for better conditions for female players in 2017.
Stephanie said: "Football has been everything to me. When you have a football team that you can be that close to it is very special."
Judge Loraine said: "Each week you fight to get the dance right and this week is no exception. It's the freedom of expression - you showed it through the whole body. A great lift at the end. Well done."
Arthur added: "This song was Fight Song and it showed the type of person you are. You gave a beautiful and brilliant performance. That was powerful."
Brian said: "For me, this is one of the weeks when you have done really really well. It is not the finished article but it is about striving in moments of challenge. But I love to see people keep fighting even when they are not winning. The lifts were good. Just keep going."
Stephanie and Ervinas scored 23.
Drag queen Panti Bliss put her alter ego aside for the first time this season and instead performed as Rory O'Neill alongside pro dancer, Denys Samson. Rory's dedication was to Professor Fiona Mulcahy, one of the first doctors who treated him when he was diagnosed as HIV Positive. They performed a Paso Doble to the Pet Shop Boys’ It’s a Sin.
Speaking before they took to the floor Professor Mulcahy said: "I am so thrilled. Thank you so much!"
She added: "Things have changed so much and it is a disease we can control."
Judge Arthur said: "Such a powerful performance, such a powerful message. Never underestimate the amount of people you are helping by being open and honest. It was very stripped back. It wasn't only for your doctor but also for the many people she was able to save."
Brian said: "The actual dancing... your not quite Denys but you are not far off. You were telling us your story... the bravery you showed gave honesty to your performance. It is so apt that Rory performed - to see you tonight, everyone sees you tonight."
Loraine said: "I share your emotion tonight as I was around in the 80s and in our dancing world we lost a lot of young dancers. You portrayed it so well. It was so real to me the story you told. In every story, you are always hoping there is light at the end of the tunnel. I see you as that light. I think you have made an iconic piece of Paso Doble."
Rory and Denys scored 29.
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