Fair City star Stephanie Kelly revealed as fifth contestant for Dancing with the Stars 2026

Sash is ready to samba as Fair City star Stephanie Kelly is revealed as the latest to join the line-up for Dancing with the Stars this season. The series returns to brighten up our Sundays this January on RT One and RT Player.

Best known as Sash Bishop from RT 's long-running soap opera Fair City, Stephanie is among the current longest-serving cast members in the show's history. Stephanie has been part of storylines dealing with themes like homelessness, parenting, and hardship. Her character has been central to several major plots in Fair City, showing Stephanie's considerable range as an actor.

Speaking about joining Dancing with the Stars, Stephanie said:

I am absolutely buzzing (and scarlet!) to be part of this season's DWTS! I can't believe I agreed to do it seeing as I cannot dance for the life of me! I have no experience and sure I couldn't even name half of the dances that are involved! I don't train or go to the gym so the extent of my fitness is running around after my three kids. I don't know what's scarier - trying to dance to actual choreography in front of the nation or the fact I have to wear heels while doing it!

My kids are so excited to see their mammy dancing on TV. My daughter Rosie in particular loves to dance and dress up so she'll be buzzing. My eldest boy told me not to worry if I fall because sure it'll be funny!' My youngest is only 3 so he hasn't a clue what's going on until he sees it. I am hoping I can give a cheeky wave to them during the live shows!

Dancing with the Stars is hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Laura Fox. Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RT series will see 12 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 Salsa, 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: Oti Mabuse, Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne, and as well as the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.

Tune in for all the glitz and glam from Sunday 4 January on RT One and RT Player.

Ends

For further information: Rayna Connery, RT Senior Communications Lead

Kate Smyth, RT Communications Lead

LINK:	https://about.rte.ie/2025/12/11/fair-city-star-stephanie-kelly-reveale...
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