Carl Mullan and his professional partner Emily Barker have been crowned Dancing with the Stars champions for 2023.
After 11 spectacular shows filled with glitz and glamour, highs and lows and captivating dances along the way, Carl and Emily emerged as the latest winners of the much-loved show.
A clearly delighted Carl thanked his family for their support: "Ais has been such a rock. My whole family. Thank you so much for all the love and support online and in the streets."
He then turned to his dance partner and told her: "Emily, I'm so buzzing we won this for you. You deserve this."
To which Emily added: "This is a dream. I’ve waited so long for this moment. Six seasons. Carl has been a dream to work with."
The Grand Final of season six opened in a very special way as the pro dancers, judges and hosts were all on the dancefloor together to kick off the evening dancing to Lionheart (Fearless) by Joel Corry and Tom Grennan.
The Judges' Choice was the first competitive dance of the evening for each couple as Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian wished to see a previous dance for a second time.
2FM presenter Carl Mullan and Emily Barker were the first couple to dance and they performed their Paso Doble from week two again.
Carl was delighted to dance to U2's Beautiful Day for a second time. This was the dance early in the series where Carl made his mark and the judges chose to see it again.
"I was so delighted when we got asked to do that one again," Carl said afterwards. "That dance felt like a real moment for me... I'd a bit of a point to prove that week."
So what did the judges think? Loraine was first: "You knocked it out of the park tonight," she said. "You've done it again!"
Arthur was full of praise too, saying: "I really liked it first time around - but this time I loved it!"
"There's so much improvement from the first time around," said Brian. "Carl Mullan, you have come out swinging!"
Carl and Emily scored 29 from the judges.
Next up, TV presenter and businesswoman, Suzanne Jackson and her professional partner Michael Danilczuk brought their journey full-circle tonight as they danced their Samba from week one of the series. Woman by Doja Cat was the music for this.
After the dance, Jennifer noted that Suzanne seemed very relaxed. "I've been on such a journey," Suzanne replied. "It's the last show. Just relax and enjoy it. I want to remember it as a really good night with no nerves... just take it all in."
Arthur was first up from the judges: "Doing the first dance you did shows how much you have improved over the last 10 weeks," he said, "and oh boy, you have improved!"
"For me, the biggest improvement was in how fluid that samba was," said Brian. Loraine added: "Suzanne, you nailed this tonight."
Suzanne and Michael scored 30 from the judges. It was the highest-scoring samba in the history of DWTS!
Singer Brooke Scullion and Robert Rowiński brought the aptly named The Greatest Show from The Greatest Showman back to the dancefloor with their Paso Doble from Movie Week.
This powerful dance showed a different side to Brooke earlier in the season as they danced side-by-side while dressed identically.
Loraine told Brooke: "Tonight you came out with a new type of energy. It had attitude. It had power. And you really, really went for it. And that's what you do on the night of a final. It's my favourite performance this season."
"You showed how it's done!" said Arthur, while Brian reckoned: "Sometimes it can be very difficult to define a performance like that... that was absolutely phenomenal. Quality from start to finish."
Afterwards, Brooke admitted: "I feel completely overwhelmed... and we're so proud!"
Brooke and Robert scored 30 from the judges.
Singer and Glee star Damian McGinty and Kylee Vincent were the final couple to dance their judges' choice dance.
Earlier in the week the judges decided they wanted to see their Contemporary Ballroom from Dedicated Dance week again.
Following a stumble in the previous performance, Damian was keen to improve it and show the judges just how far he has come. Forever Young by Becky Hill was the music for their first dance.
"Are you shook?" Jennifer asked Damian after the dance. He laughed and admitted: "I've been shook by the last three months!"
Loraine was certainly impressed: "Tonight, that is perfection," she insisted. "Absolute perfection. You've touched everyone here and at home - well done!"
Arthur: "It was so, so beautiful. You deserve to be in the final," while Brian added: "It was step-perfect from start to finish."
Damian and Kylee scored 30 from the judges. Then the phone lines opened, and viewers could start getting their votes in for their favourite dancers!
While the voting lines are open, each couple performed their showdance in a last bid to win the glitterball. There were no rules, no dance styles, so each celebrity got a chance to showcase everything they have learnt throughout the run.
Carl and Emily dedicated their showdance to his Nana on her first anniversary. Their emotional dance was to Celestial by Ed Sheeran.
Afterwards, Carl praised his dancing partner. "It's just been the most incredible 11 weeks, but it would've been nothing without making a friend like Emily," he said. "she's been incredible."
Arthur felt that Carl "put everything into that last performance. And it paid off! You really expressed yourself. Both of you. It's been a joy to watch you."
"You absolutely deserve your place," Brian insisted, while Loraine added: "I believe you're finishing on a high tonight, and I believe your Nana is very proud of you."
Carl and Emily scored 30 from the judges.
Leona Lewis' track Fire Under My Feet was chosen for Suzanne and Michael’s showdance. The floor was on fire as they danced their hearts out.
"You've been our ballroom belle throughout this season," said Brian afterwards. "But you've absolutely finished tonight on fire!"
Loraine was just as enthusiastic. "I believe that was a show-stopper tonight. Well done!"
Arthur added: "What an incredible performance to finish on!"
Suzanne then told Doireann: "I think my knees are relieved, to be honest... I'm over the moon. We just want to enjoy it - and we did!"
Suzanne and Michael scored 30 from the judges.
The penultimate competitive dance was Brooke and Robert's energetic and sassy showdance to Hallucinate by Dua Lipa.
"That was insane!" Jennifer said afterwards. Judge Loraine was equally enthusiastic. "Oh my goodness! Where do I start? We have just witnessed the vibrant, young Brooke Scullion...it was truly an amazing dance."
Arthur told Brooke: "You are the definition of a pure dancer. You are a born performer," while Brian added: "Is there anything you can't do? It was absolutely fantastic."
"I'm so happy," Brooke insisted afterwards. "I'm so grateful. And I'm just sad that it's our last time dancing together - for now!"
Brooke and Robert scored 29 from the judges.
Last but not least, the final couple to dance competitively tonight were Damian and Kylee. Take a Look at Us Now by Shawn Mendes was a perfect choice to bring broadway to the dancefloor for their final dance.
"That was unbelievable!" Jennifer said afterwards. And the judges were pretty much in agreement.
"That was an incredible last dance," said Arthur: "You were glowing... this was a phenomenal last dance. And Damian, I adore you!"
"For me, this performance had just about everything, " said Brian: "It was a very special performance.
Loraine added: "You had all of us in the palm of your hand...the icing on the cake that finished the night off."
Talking to Doireann, Damian said: "That was some of the best two minutes of my life... I so enjoyed that. I love performing."
Damian and Kylee scored 30 from the judges.
While the votes poured in, a highlight of the evening came as all seven couples previously eliminated from the series returned to the dancefloor for one last triumphant performance. They danced to Never Gonna Not Dance Again by Pink.
The judges then spoke to Doireann, with Loraine saying: "It truly was spectacular and I think Ireland had the greatest show on television tonight."
Brian enjoyed being a spectator more than a judge. "It's always a pleasure to be here at the final. We don't have to make those decisions so it's nice to be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the show."
Arthur praised Suzanne: "Look at her now! She has the determination every dancer needs in life."
After a brief chat with the previously eliminated stars, it was time to find out who would be this year's DWTS champion. And the 2023 winner is Carl Mullan!
A clearly stunned Carl was stuck for words. "I'm so . . . ah!" he said to Jennifer, before thanking everyone who supported him, before turning to dance partner Emily Barker and told her: "I'm so buzzing we won this - for you! I'm so happy! Oh, wow!"
Emily told Jennifer: "It feels like a dream! I'm in total shock! How Long I've waited for this moment - six seasons - and I just can't believe it's happening to Carl, who is like an absolute best friend. It's been amazing!"
All couples from the grand final will be interviewed on Monday morning's edition of the Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1.
You can catch up on the full season of Dancing with the Stars on RTÉ Player
