Comedian Michael Fry has been announced as the fourth celebrity contestant for the ninth series of Dancing with the Stars, which returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player in January 2026.
Hailing from Navan, Co Meath, Fry has appeared in Derry Girls and Holding (the television adaptation of Graham Norton's novel), and in 2025 he wrote and performed his first stand-up show as part of the Edinburgh and Dublin Fringe Festivals.
Fry is also well-known for his viral sketches and musical parodies on social media, and for writing and appearing in the RTÉ2 sketch show No Worries If Not!
He was an ambassador for Seachtain na Gaeilge in 2025 and has previously written and performed sketches and stand-up as Gaeilge.
Speaking about joining Dancing with the Stars, Fry said: "I'm very excited to be learning how to dance in a way that doesn’t suggest I’m utterly ashamed of myself. It’ll come with transferable skills in that being more aware of my body is only going to make me a better performer. Michelle Yeoh started out as a dancer and ended up doing cool fight scenes and action movies. It could be me in the next Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
"Other than at weddings, I’ve got zero dance experience as an adult, but I did Irish dancing and stage school when I was a child. I won a trophy for Irish dancing and it’s the only trophy I own. Maybe I’m only good at dancing if I don’t have to use my arms..."
He added: "My friends have all been extremely supportive of me taking part in the show and are keen to come see me live in the audience. They’re all very jealous that I get to learn how to dance with a professional and would have been furious if I had turned it down.
I am nervous about such a physical challenge because I’m extremely unfit. I’ve treated my body badly over the years and we’re about to find out just how badly. I’m hoping there’s an artful way to bend over with a stitch mid-routine."
Dancing with the Stars will be hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Laura Fox. Across the new series, 12 well-known faces will be paired with professional dancers, taking on a different dance style each week, from the Charleston to Salsa, with just seven days to perfect their routines before performing live.
Couples will be scored by judges Oti Mabuse, Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne, along with the public vote at home, as they compete for the glitter ball trophy.
