The glitz and glamour of Dancing with the Stars lit up Sunday night once again, but it also carried the bittersweet sting of elimination. During this week's much-anticipated Orchestra Night, comedian Gearóid Farrelly became the latest celebrity to dance his final dance. Farrelly faced off against fellow contestant Danny O'Carroll, who is famed for his role on Mrs Brown’s Boys, after both men ended the night with the same score of 33. Despite the drama and choreography, it was Farrelly who had to say goodbye, leaving the stage with fond memories and newfound friendships.
The night was filled with excitement, yet tense anticipation culminated when Farrelly and O’Carroll had to battle it out once more for survival on the show. After judges’ deliberation, each appointed three votes resulted in O'Carroll continuing his quest for the glitterball trophy, leaving Farrelly with the heavy hearts of both judges and fans.
After the judge's decision, Farrelly reflected on his time on the dance floor, expressing heartfelt sentiments: "This has been the happiest few months of my life. I think it’s important to say the pro dancers are just the most unbelievable people. They are our therapists. They talk us off a ledge every Wednesday... they are a lifeline," he shared, praising his pro partner Stephen Vincent, calling him the captain of the ship.
Meanwhile, the elimination was igniting outrage among viewers. Many took to social media, expressing their disbelief over chef Kevin Dundon continuing his tenure on the show, even after scoring the lowest marks of the night. "It is absolutely ridiculous, Kevin should be going. Losing good dancers to this gobsh*e every week is unfair. The show is becoming a farce," lambasted one enraged viewer. Similar sentiments echoed as viewers questioned, "Who is voting for Kevin??" leaving many fans anxious about the integrity of the competition with just six contestants remaining.
The atmosphere was charged as the remaining celebrities showcased their dancing prowess. Among the standout performances was former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede, who soared to new heights with her American Smooth, scoring an impressive 36 points. "Your lifts were mesmerizing, you were floating. It was a gorgeous, heartfelt performance," admired judge Arthur Gourounlian. Taekwondo athlete Jack Woolley also impressed, taking home 37 points for his vibrant samba, prompting one judge to comment, "It was like watching two pros out on the floor." But it was Olympic gymnast Rhys McClenaghan who stole the spotlight, achieving near perfection with 39 points for his contemporary dance to The Verve’s iconic Bittersweet Symphony.
For Dundon, though, the evening was marred with struggles. Partnered with Rebecca Scott, the chef once again found himself at the bottom with just 24 points. Judge Karen reassured him, saying, "You’re improving every week – you deserve to be here. You make everyone smile!" Dundon, who seems to have captured the hearts of some viewers, remains a controversial topic for fans as he continues to advance against the odds.
With tensions rising and the stakes at hand, the competition is reaching fever pitch as it heads toward the finale. Viewers eagerly anticipate the next themed episode — Country Night — coming up next week. Although dancing skills are key, the underlying narrative surrounding viewer voting and eliminations creates another layer of complexity for the beloved reality show. Will renowned chef Kevin Dundon manage to dodge the dance-off once more? Only time will tell, as fans eagerly await the next episode of Dancing with the Stars*.