Dancing with the Stars recap: Mrs Brown's Boys's Danny O'Carroll leaves judges 'lost for words'
It's week two at Dancing with the Stars, and Ireland's Olympians are proving their mettle outside their chosen sports. Rhys McClenaghan and Jack Woolley ended Sunday night tied on 32, a particularly high score for this early in the competition.But like in the games, it ain't over till it's over, and Mrs Brown's Boys'sDanny O'Carroll knocked them off the top at the final moment, scoring an incredible 36 out of 40 for his Charleston. "It's our job to give credit where credit is due," judge Brian Redmond commented, "and I am genuinely struggling to give criticisms." "I am lost for words," notoriously chatty Karen Byrne added. Could Buster Brown be the surprise of the season? He just might be, but he'll face pretty stiff competition to stay at the top.Rhys Mc Clenaghan with pro Laura Nolan. Picture: Kyran O’Brien/kobpixOlympic gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan's tango to 'Tanguera' left judge Redmond "truly impressed", and head judge Loraine Barry very emotional. "That's my music," she commented, letting the audience know some of her signature moves were included in Laura Nolan's routine for the gymnast. "You did it sublimely, the character, the drama and yet the stillness," she said, wiping away tears. He was rewarded with 32 for the leaderboard.That tied him with Jack Woolley, whose cha cha cha to 'Rush' by Troye Sivan was deemed "outstanding" by Barry.Comedian Gearoid Farrelly with partner Stephen Vincent. Picture: Kyran O’Brien/kobpixComedian Gearóid Farrelly also had a good night with his cha cha cha. After an unfortunate slip last week, he came out all guns blazing and scored a healthy 28.“You were worried about it clicking. I’ll tell you one thing, it definitely clicked [tonight],” judge Byrne remarked.Also around the middle of the leaderboard was pageant queen Aishah Akorede with 27. Her salsa proved she was "a good all-rounder," judge Redmond said.Content creator Kayleigh Trappe delivered a "gorgeous, soft" Viennese Waltz according to Barry, while judge Arthur Gourounlian said it was "nothing short of magical". She added 29 to the board. Actress Yasmin Seky’s foxtrot was “a little bit heavy in places”, Gourounlian noted, but she still managed 26.Elaine Crowley on the dancefloor with Denys Samson. Picture: Kyran O’Brien/kobpixElaine Crowley dominated the floor in latex, but Byrne said she wanted a bit more "oomph" from her Paso Doble performance. She earned 23 points.Meanwhile, Joanna Donnelly's waltz to 'Moonriver' was particularly special to the meteorologist who learned to play the classic on piano following the passing of her beloved mother. "When I play the piano, my mother is with me," she shared. Both Byrne and Barry were moved to tears, with Barry commenting that she had created "a beautiful memory" she will have for years to come. She received 23 points. Struggling at the lower end of the leaderboard was singer Mickey Joe Harte who received just 14 points for his jive, despite all judges positively commenting on the “energy” he brought to the performance. “You have to tidy things up a bit,” judge Redmond said.Chef Kevin Dundon with dancer Rebecca Scott. Picture: Kyran O’Brien/kobpixThe lowest score of the night fell to telly chef Kevin Dundon whose samba was “overcooked” according to Byrne. “It was like you were running around proving you knew the steps to [professional partner] Rebecca,” she commented. Judge Redmond said the performance was "iconic"... just not in the right ways. “The good news is nobody is going home... yet” he quipped. Dundon received just 13 points.According to the national broadcaster, 580,000 of us tuned in for the show's opening episode last week. The question now is how many of us will stay to see which celebrities can make it to the very end?
Dancing with the Stars airs Sundays on RTÉ One at 6.30pm
