
Dancing with the Stars welcomes a new judge for 2025
Two-time Dancing with the Stars winner Karen Byrne to join the Dancing with the Stars judging panel in January
RT announced today that the two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and professional dancer Karen Byrne will join the judging panel in 2025 alongside longstanding judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.
Returning once again to RT One and RT Player in January 2025, Dancing with the Stars promises to bring glitter, glamour and dazzling performances to audiences in the new year.
Karen is a celebrated Ballroom and Latin dancer from Ballyfermot, best known for her standout performances on Dancing with the Stars, Karen featured as a pro dancer for seven seasons. She is a two-time winner of the coveted glitterball trophy, most recently in 2024 with Paralympian Jason Smyth and in 2018 with singer Jake Carter. Karen has represented Ireland at international dance competitions, teaches at her own studio in Inchicore and has a weekly podcast The Carter Couch with her partner Jake Carter and his brother Nathan - and occasionally Lenny the Cavapoo dog getting in on the action too!
Karen Byrne said, I am absolutely delighted to join the judges panel for my eighth season of Dancing with the Stars. Having been lucky enough to win it twice and working with all my incredible dance partners, it will feel strange sitting on the other side of the desk. I can't believe it I have to pinch myself! It doesn't feel real I don't think it will feel real until I sit in the chair. I've always looked at the judges seats and thought that must be the best seat in the house. Oh my god I get to hold a paddle!
The DWTS journey is the best, this show is in my veins I absolutely love it. I feel so honoured to now be on the judges panel with the fabulous Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian. Let the madness commence please can it be January already?
Head judge Loraine Barry commented: I'm thrilled to be heading into season eight of DWTS Ireland especially as we welcome the two-time champion Miss Karen Byrne to the judging panel. Karen is fresh off the dance floor into the judging seat and I look forward to working with her.
Arthur Gourounlian commented: I am over the moon to be returning for my fourth season of Dancing with the Stars! The thought of reuniting with this amazing DWTS family, sharing unforgettable moments, and diving into all the excitement we have in store fills me with so much joy. And what can I say about the incredible Karen? After watching her grace the dance floor with pure magic for three seasons, I'm beyond thrilled to now share the judging panel with her. It's going to be absolutely electrifying! Now, let's be honest the biggest question of the season might just be: who's going to win the battle of the biggest hair? Stay tuned. It's going to be an unforgettable ride.
Brian Redmond added: I'm delighted to be back on the judging panel for Dancing with the Stars 2025. I'm chuffed that Karen will be joining us on the judging panel this year after winning two glitterballs and seven seasons on the show, I think she's earned her place. I'm sure she'll challenge me, and maybe I'll challenge her, but it all makes for great excitement ahead of the new year. I can't wait to welcome Karen along to become the first fourth judge on Dancing with Stars. Roll on the new year!
Dancing with the Stars will be hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy again this season.
The first celebrity taking to the dance floor for the brand-new season of Dancing with the Stars will be announced on Monday December 9th.
-ENDS-
Date: Friday December 6th 2024
RT Communications:
Rayna Connery and adaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill
About Dancing with the Stars 2025
Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RT One series sees 11 well-known figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week. Each pairing will have a different dancing genre to master every week, from the Charleston to hip hop, and they'll have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing live to the nation.
Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges and the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.
Dancing with the Stars is produced by ShinAwiL for RT .
Dancing with the Stars is proudly sponsored by Hyundai.
For all the latest news and backstage gossip on Dancing with the Stars, keep an eye on our social channels:
Instagram: @RTEOne & @DWTSIrl
TikTok: @RTEOne
Facebook: @RTEOne
Twitter: @RTEOne @DWTSIrl
#DWTSIrl
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
09/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/05/2026
NBC's 9:16 live-production workflows power Courtside Live, Rinkside Live, Vi...
08/05/2026
Native 1080p HDR productions will rely on a mix of remote workflows from Bristol and Los Angeles
Despite another prosperous WNBA season in 2025, there was no g...
08/05/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
08/05/2026
Players Era, an EverWonder Studio company, and ESPN have announced a multi-year ...
08/05/2026
BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) has announced the selection of Syname...
08/05/2026
UFC and Joe Hand Promotions, UFC's exclusive commercial distributor in the U...
08/05/2026
Ease Live, an Evertz company, has announced it has been granted US Patent No. 12,556,777 for its graphical overlay technology for interactive live streaming. Th...
08/05/2026
Ateme has announced that VTVcab has deployed Ateme's OTT platform to power its VTVprime streaming service in Vietnam. The deployment covers live and on-dema...
08/05/2026
Amagi has announced the availability of its In-Content Ads offering via the Amagi ADS PLUS marketplace, providing programmatic access to ad formats inserted dir...
08/05/2026
Young broadcaster will deploy 11-camera complement, At the Line' scorebug f...
08/05/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent rating news and is derived from press rel...
08/05/2026
FOX Sports, America's English-language home for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and...
08/05/2026
Molly Gordon and Ben Platt appear in Theater Camp. (Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures)
By Lucy Spicer
Her character is the beloved founder of the AdirondACTS...
08/05/2026
One-button synth generates random four-track ideas
Cyma Forma and French artist Bambounou have announced RND synth, a compact hardware synthesizer built aro...
08/05/2026
Portable four-layer granular and sampling instrument
Tasty Chips have announced the GR-2, a new granular synthesizer and sampling instrument that combines e...
08/05/2026
Video Show Report
Video of SUPERBOOTH 26: Polyend Drums
Polyends big announcement for Superbooth 2026 is the Drums, a new drum machine that features both ...
08/05/2026
Deal agreed as NI enters new chapter
Native Instruments CEO Nick Williams has announced that a definitive agreement has been signed for the company to be ac...
08/05/2026
Video Show Report
Video of SUPERBOOTH 26: Erica Bullfrog Drums
The Bullfrog Drums is the latest collaboration between Erica Synths and Richie Hawtin, and ...
08/05/2026
In our latest blog, Tim Pearson reflects on the recent launch of Play Snooker, the new digital home of snooker by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker A...
08/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced its return as a sponsor of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where the company will serve as the Official Connectivity ...
08/05/2026
For the second straight year, Miri Technologies Inc. has been honored with a pair of coveted awards at the broadcast, media and entertainment industry's pre...
08/05/2026
Nine Alumni Nominated for Tony Awards More than 20 alumni contributed to this year's Tony-nominated productions.
May 7, 2026
By
Tori Donahue
Boston Co...
08/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/05/2026
Liberty University on why broadcast technology isn't just a technical invest...
08/05/2026
COW Jobs: UGC, On-Camera Video Content
Brie Clayton May 7, 2026
0 Comments
UGC, On-Camera Video Content
April 17, 2026Documentary Editor - US,......
08/05/2026
Pete reunites with Dogs Trust for a fourth series and a two-part overseas special
London, Friday 8th May 2026: The award winning factual entertainment series P...
08/05/2026
Wuppertal May 8, 2026
Riedel to Support Glasgow 2026 as Official Connectivity Integration Provider Riedel Communications today announced its return as a spons...
08/05/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces Standalone Sequel to Global Hit La Palma
Entertainment
08 May 2026
GlobalDenmarkFinlandNorwaySweden
Link copied to clipb...
08/05/2026
ICG is excited to share news of our official launch in Northern Ireland, marking a significant milestone in the agency's growth.
Led by Digital Marketing M...
08/05/2026
Over the past ten years, Thames Water, in partnership with Arqiva, has installed more than 1.2 million smart meters, creating one of the most extensive advanced...
07/05/2026
Journalists reporting on Sudan are working in one of the most complex and fast-m...
07/05/2026
Multi-year partnership positions Victory+ as a free home for Dallas Cowboys orig...
07/05/2026
From sideline reporting to directing and producing, the talented sophomore is building a well-rounded foundation for a career in live sports production
In the ...
07/05/2026
Cobalt Digital has received two Future Best of Show awards at NAB Show 2026. The COBALT blueCORE platform was recognized by TV Tech, and the COBALT PACIFIC ULL-...
07/05/2026
ESPN analyst Mina Kimes will host the televised semifinals and finals of the 202...
07/05/2026
Bitmovin has announced that MUBI, the global film streaming platform, has selected Bitmovin as its cloud VOD encoding partner. Bitmovin's encoding infrastru...
07/05/2026
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises and the U.S. Soccer Federation have announced...
07/05/2026
Angel City Football Club (ACFC) and Victory have announced a regional broadcast partnership bringing live match coverage to fans across the greater Los Angeles...
07/05/2026
Spiideo has announced the launch of AI Highlights inside Spiideo Play, its automated sports production platform. AI Highlights combines video, event data, audio...
07/05/2026
Leostream Corporation has announced a unified remote access ecosystem for high-p...