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DWTS' David and Salome save the best for last on Sunday's show

Updated / Monday, 15 Jan 2024 12:52
David Whelan and Salome Chachua in action on Sunday's show All photos: Kyran O'Brien
David Whelan and Salome Chachua in action on Sunday's show All photos: Kyran O'Brien

Wild Youth singer David Whelan and his professional dance partner Salome Chachua are top of the Dancing with the Stars leaderboard heading into next Sunday's elimination.

When the scores from the first two shows were combined, the couple had 47 points.

They scored 24 for their Charleston in week two - the highest score and final dance of Sunday night - with the singer battling through a shoulder injury to thrill the audience and viewers at home alongside his pro dance partner.

Once again, it was a night big on fun with some fancy footwork thrown in - even for week two.

The judges' scores and viewers' votes will now be combined ahead of the first elimination next Sunday night.

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

The story of the night:

Rosanna Davison and Stephen Vincent

The first couple of the night were Miss World winner Rosanna Davison and pro dancer Stephen Vincent, dancing the Salsa to Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean's Hips Don't Lie.

Head judge Loraine Barry saluted a "sassy, sensuous Salsa dancer" and Stephen's tremendous choreography. Loraine wants more fluidity next week but said it was a great start.

Fellow judge Arthur Gourounlian said "those hips did not lie tonight", saying Rosanna is moving "like a different woman".

Brian Redmond said it was "a big improvement" from Rosanna and that she had got her nerves under control. Rosanna and Stephen received 23 points from the judges.

Miriam Mullins and Montel Hewson

Next up were TikTok star Miriam Mullins and pro dancer Montel Hewson, dancing the Samba to Rema feat. Selena Gomez's Calm Down.

Arthur Gourounlian said Miriam wants to "learn and grow" in the competition. He praised her body movement but wants to see more "bounce".

Brian Redmond was in good fettle and said Miriam has the bounce! He said it went a bit quiet in the middle - Miriam needs to keep it "big" in the "softer moments". He also promised to show Miriam some "deeper" splits!

Loraine Barry said it was a "fabulous Samba" - and the bounce was there! She wants to see an improvement in Miriam's upper body. Miriam and Montel received 21 points from the judges.

Shane Quigley Murphy and Laura Nolan

The third couple of the night were Fair City's Shane Quigley Murphy and pro dancer Laura Nolan, dancing the Waltz to Michael Bublé's At This Moment.

Brian Redmond said Shane's right arm was "pretty good" and left arm was "pretty perfect". He wants Shane to work on his lines and swinging power. Shane has the "best frame" Brian has seen in a while.

Loraine Barry said it "really was a beautiful hold" and "very good". She said Shane was "sometimes slightly ahead of the music" and to pay attention to his "toe line". "Gorgeous storytelling," she concluded.

Arthur Gourounlian said we have "a ballroom boy" in Shane and, like his fellow judges, saluted Shane's frame. Shane and Laura received 20 points from the judges.

Rory Cowan and Jillian Bromwich

The fourth couple of the night were Fair City's Rory Cowan and pro dancer Jillian Bromwich, dancing the Viennese Waltz to Dean Martin's That's Amore.

Loraine Barry said: "Bravo! "You're off, Rory, you're dancing, you're swinging, you're swaying!" She wants more discipline and work on Rory's frame.

Arthur Gourounlian said it was "such an improvement from last week". He said Rory was a little bit stiff and to relax.

Brian Redmond said "musically, very Venetian; posturally, a bit Notre Dame". He wants Rory to work on his shoulders and not sink down. Rory and Jillian received 14 points from the judges.

Laura Fox and Denys Samson

The fifth couple of the night were 2FM's Laura Fox and pro dancer Denys Samson, dancing Contemporary Ballroom to Taylor Swift's Cruel Summer.

Arthur Gourounlian said Laura went "hell for leather" and was "brilliant".

Brian Redmond said Laura had performed physically to a really high standard both weeks, but he wants Laura to sell the characterisation more in the weeks ahead. "I loved it, but I didn't quite believe it," he added.

Loraine Barry said the "blending" in styles was "seamless" but to "sell it a bit more". Laura and Denys received 22 points from the judges.

Katja Mia and Ervinas Merfeldas

The sixth couple of the night were Virgin Media presenter Katja Mia and pro dancer Ervinas Merfeldas, dancing the Foxtrot to Queen's Killer Queen.

Brian Redmond said "it wasn't a very traditional Foxtrot" - but he "loved it". He wants Katja to work on a "soggy" left shoulder.

Loraine Barry said she did not get "two bodies moving across the floor as one" but really enjoyed a "sassy Foxtrot".

Arthur Gourounlian said the routine was "glorious". Katja and Ervinas received 22 points from the judges.

Jason Smyth and Juliia Vasylenko

The seventh couple of the night were Paralympian Jason Smyth and pro dancer Juliia Vasylenko - deputising for the ill Karen Byrne - dancing the Paso Doble to Bryan Adams' Run to You.

Loraine Barry said Jason and Juliia did the ill Karen Byrne - Jason's regular dance partner - proud. She concluded that the last-minute duo did "amazingly well".

Arthur Gourounlian said "nothing stops" Jason as a sportsman. "Was it the best Paso Doble? Not really - but it's week two, it doesn't have to be the best," he added.

Brian Redmond said Jason proved that he has "all the partnering skills" needed for the competition but has to "fill things up a bit more" in his performance. "Very well done," he concluded. Jason and Juliia received 17 points from the judges.

Blu Hydrangea and Simone Arena

The eighth couple of the night were RuPaul's Drag Race champion Blu Hydrangea and pro dancer Simone Arena, dancing the American Smooth to Madonna's True Blue.

Arthur Gourounlian said: "American Smooth, baby - this is how it's done." He said Blu was "in the zone" but needs to relax more. "Don't be perfect!" he urged.

Brian Redmond didn't love Blu "as much as last week". He loved the frame but called the footwork "sludgy". "Long skirts won't hide bad footwork!" he added.

Loraine Barry loved "the whole glamour of it" and "the spins and the pivots... and the back bend on one foot". She agreed with Brian on the footwork. Blu and Simone received 20 points from the judges.

Davy Russell and Laura Nolan

The ninth couple of the night were jockey Davy Russell and Laura Nolan - her second dance of the night as she deputised for the ill Kylee Vincent - dancing the Quickstep to Shania Twain's Giddy Up.

Brian Redmond said Davy did "a really, really good job" of getting it together so quickly after his regular dance partner Kylee Vincent took ill a few hours before the show. Brian told Davy that he needs more control in his chassés.

Loraine Barry said Davy and Laura "both played it so well" and there was "lovely choreography". "Well done," she concluded of their last-minute pairing.

Arthur Gourounlian said he had a huge smile on his face while watching. He said Davy lacks coordination right now but also saluted the couple pulling out at all the stops under adversity. Davy and Laura received 15 points from the judges.

Eileen Dunne and Robert Rowiński

The tenth couple of the night were broadcaster Eileen Dunne and pro dancer Robert Rowiński, dancing the Cha Cha Cha to Jennifer Lopez's Let's Get Loud.

Loraine Barry said: "What an entrance! It was amazing!" She said the Cha Cha Cha was missing, but she saluted Eileen's spirit and determination.

Arthur Gourounlian said he had "seen it all". "I needed this content in my life, so thank you!" He agreed with Loraine's assessment but can't wait for next week.

Brian Redmond was in his element. He said Eileen needs her legs to be straighter and her timing to be better. "Room to improve - but I loved it!" he added. Eileen and Robert received 13 points from the judges.

David Whelan and Salome Chachua

The final couple of the night were Wild Youth singer David Whelan and pro dancer Salome Chachua, dancing the Charleston to Tape Five's Bad Boy Good Man.

Arthur Gourounlian said the routine had it all. He saluted David for not letting his shoulder injury hold him back. "You absolutely smashed it!" he enthused.

Brian Redmond agreed that the best had been saved for last but was a little bit disappointed with the lifts. However, he added that David and Salome could lift the glitterball in March!

Loraine Barry said it was "really another level of Charleston" from Salome as a choreographer. She said it "really was a challenge" for David with his shoulder injury - and one he passed. David and Salome received 24 points from the judges.

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