Dancing with the Stars returned with a bang on Sunday night, with all 11 celebrities taking part in this year's competition making their debut on the dancefloor.
Rosanna Davison, Eileen Dunne, David Whelan, Blu Hydrangea, Miriam Mullins, Laura Fox, Shane Quigley Murphy, Davy Russell, Katja Mia, Rory Cowan, and Jason Smyth gave it their all for their first appearances on the show. It certainly looks like the competition will be fierce for the seventh run of the glitteriest show on television.
The first episode, which didn't feature an elimination, kicked off with a sensational showpiece as the celebrities, pro dancers, judges Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry and Arthur Gourounlian and presenters Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy impressed with an opening number to I Like to Dance by Jason Mraz.
The first couple to take the dancefloor was Katja Mia and Ervinas Merfeldas who danced a fast-paced Samba to My Love by Leigh-Anne featuring Ayra Starr.
Loraine was full of praise for the TV presenter, saying the "Samba vibes were oozing out of you" and that she "smashed" it.
Arthur said "You killed it! You left that floor on fire!" while Brian complimented Katja's "natural rhythm".
They scored a total of 21 points.
They were a hard act to follow, but former jockey Davy Russell and Kylee Vincent gave it socks with their Paso Doble to Crazy Horses by The Osmonds.
Arthur said: "I'm shocked because I didn't know what to expect, you brought drama into this performance tonight."
Brian said that if the jockey gained some confidence, he "might fancy a little flutter myself", while Loraine commended his "masculine energy" and "core strength".
They scored a total of 19 points.
2fm presenter Laura Fox and Denys Samson were next to take to the dancefloor with an energetic jive to River Deep, Mountain High by the Glee Cast.
The feedback was resoundingly positive from the judging panel.
Brian said the way she used her arms was "so natural, so instinctive" which "bodes so well for the journey ahead".
Loraine said it was a "fun, fab jive" while the always-enthusiastic Arthur said "Foxy is in the house! For your first dance that was energetic jive."
They scored a total of 21 points.
Fair City star Shane Quigley Murphy and Laura Nolan were up next to make their dancefloor debut with an high energy salsa to Where Did You Go? By Jax Jones & MNEK.
The three judges were hugely impressed with Shane's performance.
Loraine said it was "wowser" and praised the "incredible" lifts. Arthur was equally excited, saying he had "a rhythm" while Brian said Shane's lifts were "exceptional" with plenty of "zing".
They scored a total of 19 points.
Eileen Dunne and Robert Rowiński were up next with an elegant American Smooth to I Am Woman by Peggy Lee.
The judges were full of praise for the former newsreader.
Arthur declared her to be an "icon" and said that although her upper body was a bit stiff, it was a "smooth" performance.
Brian was impressed by the characterisation at the beginning of the dance, but said the "movement needs to improve", while Loraine said it was "beautiful" with "a lovely flow".
They scored a total of 14 points.
Paralympic champion Jason Smyth was up next with his professional partner Karen Byrne. They danced a classy Foxtrot to They Can't Take That Away from Me by Frank Sinatra & Natalie Cole.
The judges were emphatic in their praise.
Brian said it was "an absolutely fantabulous start" and added: "I can't fathom what you've just done, congratulations to you both."
Loraine said to Karen: "You've made a dancer here and I take my hat off to both of you", while Arthur praised Jason's competitive nature and added: "Bravo."
An emotional Karen said "I'm like a proud mammy" after the performance.
They scored a total of 17 points.
Next up was RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner Blu Hydrangea and new pro dancer Simone Arena with a sassy Cha Cha to You're Free by Icona Pop & Ulta Naté.
The judging panel had amazing feedback for their cha cha, with their score landing them straight to the top of the leaderboard.
Loraine said it was "sassy, sexy and so much fun", with Arthur complimenting it as a "tight and colourful" with "almost flawless technique".
Brian said he was "loving the hair", with each of the judges awarding an impressive 8 points for a total of 24.
Former Miss World Rosanna Davison and her partner Stephen Vincent were up next with a smooth Waltz to Come Away With Me by Norah Jones.
Arthur said it was "so beautiful, so graceful, so natural" and that Rosanna was "gliding across the dancefloor".
Brian said the performance was "very different" compared to what had come before, like "a lullaby in the middle of a rock concert", but that he was "very impressed" with how she moved across the dancefloor.
Loraine said that "technically you gave us a beautiful waltz" but that she would like more of a surprise next time.
Their total was 17.
Wild Youth's David Whelan and Salome Chachua were up next with a fast-paced Tango to Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran feat. Bring Me The Horizon.
Brian said Whelan is "one to watch", while Loraine singled out his "passion, drama and intensity", adding that it was "an excellent Tango".
Arthur said he had "the Tango attitude" required.
They scored a total of 23 points.
TikTok star Miriam Mullins and pro newcomer Montel Hewson were the tenth couple to perform with a lively Quickstep to Fascination by Alphabeat.
The judges were impressed.
Loraine said: "The quickstep is a fun dance and that's what you brought to the floor tonight."
Arthur complimented Miriam's "fire in your belly and that determination to learn", adding "Team MM is officially in the competition!"
Brian gave his verdict: "The quickstep has to be light and the good news is, you hopped around this room so light you wouldn't believe!"
They scored a total of 18 points.
Mrs Brown's Boys star Rory Cowan and Dancing with the Stars newcomer Jillian Bromwich closed out the first episode of the new season with a cheery Charleston to When I'm Sixty-Four by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers.
The judges had mixed feedback.
Arthur said it was "so much fun" while Brian didn't seem too impressed with his signature dance-move which he dubbed the "Rory ripple".
However, Loraine was kinder in her feedback, saying Rory had "a rhythm" and "agility".
"The best medicine is to dance, so let's get more dancing!" she added.
They scored a total of 11 points, which leaves them at the bottom of the leaderboard.
All votes from shows one and two will carry forward to the third week, at the end of which, the first couple will be eliminated on Sunday, 21 January.
Dancing with the Stars, Sundays at 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
