Dancing With the Stars Ireland: Former rugby star Shane Byrne takes ‘dancing dad’ to the next level

Former Irish rugby star Shane Byrne took the “dancing dad” concept to the next level on RTÉ’s Dancing With the Stars tonight.

Although he only scored 12 points with Cha Cha Cha with his dance partner Karen Byrne, he wowed the judges and the studio audience with a series of three impressive back-to-backs aka ““ mullet cake” as he completed his high octane dance to Hey dear.

“I can’t help but love you,” said judge Arthur Gourounlian. “It was hot.”

Judge Loraine Barry was also impressed with his dance floor gymnastics performance.

“In all my career, I have never seen three wheels,” she said.

Judge Brian Redmond, who gave the pair only three points, joked: “You’ve taught me to be very careful with what you wish for. Last week I asked for more entertainment value.”

Meanwhile, former state pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy, who scored an impressive 16 out of 20 for her tango along with partner Stephen Vincent, revealed one of her biggest challenges she is not to laugh.

Looking glamorous and elegant in a slim black and red evening gown adorned with feather bodices, she said it was a challenge to keep her face looking serious. the demand of the tango.

“I find the tango face pretty complicated, maybe I should get Botox,” she jokes.

Meanwhile, drag queen Panti Bliss also impressed the judges with her elegant waltz in the Aretha Franklin song. The young woman.

Looking elegant in a cobalt blue sequin dress and platinum bun, she joked that her “size 10” legs were crushed after a week of grueling workouts.

“I thought it would be hard but I didn’t expect it to be so hard,” she said.

The second week of the popular dance show has begun with all 11 contestants and their professional partners performing dance or Latin dances with the first qualifying round taking place next week.

Holding on to the top after making history last week with the highest score ever in the first week, singer Derry and Eurovision contestant Brooke Scullion and dance partner Maurizio Benenato notched 23 impressive scores – just two points off last week – with their high octane Fast Jump to Girls Aloud’s Love Machine.

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According to judge Loraine Barry, they failed to disappoint. “What a way to open the door,” she said.

“I’m very impressed by you. You’ve set the bar very high tonight, guys.”

Arthur Gourounlian was also impressed by their performance. “Walking fast should be afraid of you. Love Machines? You are a dancing machine, he said.