Switch-up week sees television history made on Dancing with the Stars

Irish television history was made tonight on RT One, when Brian Dowling and Kai Widdrington, and Lottie Ryan and Emily Barker took to the floor as same-sex professional and celebrity dance partners, in a first for the dance series, both in the Ireland and in the UK.

Tonight's switch-up show began with all the celebrity and pro dancers on the dance-floor, kicking off with a group performance to Moving On Up by M People.

There were no eliminations this week.

The first couple to perform an individual dance tonight were television presenter Mary Kennedy and her pro partner for this week, Ryan McShane. They took to the floor with a fun, giddy jive to Twistin' the Night Away by Sam Cooke.

Following the performance, Loraine said: I really like when you got together and that's where you were more comfortable. In the solo frames you were a little bit unsure, but that's because of the time frame this week.

Julian said: As for those legs, you have the best pair of legs in town. We got plenty of jive movement we got some nice twist action. What I would like to have seen was a little bit more energy, but this was an old school jive which I did love.

Brian said: Maybe the switch-up didn't work quite as well as it could have done for you.

Following her performance, Mary paid tribute to RT broadcaster Keelin Shanley, whose death was sadly announced earlier this afternoon.

Mary said: Keelin Shanley passed away this afternoon, she was just a gorgeous woman, a colleague in the newsroom and I know that everybody in RTE will be very very sad to hear about her passing. She was so young, she was a robust journalist but she was kindness itself. She was always obliging and just a lovely lovely person and our sympathies go to her husband Conor and her two children Ben and Lucy. May she rest in peace.

Mary scored 14 from the judges.

Fair City actor Ryan Andrews was partnered with Ballroom Champion Laura Nolan this week. They danced an enchanting waltz to Open Arms by Journey.

Afterwards, Ryan said, there was added pressure with waltz.

Loraine said: It's position, the frame, the articulation of the feet, the swing and the harmony and it was fabulous. You were very dominant out there and you took on the leading role. This was a very very polished performance.

Brian said: I thought this was going to be a really interesting switch-up week for you. For me, the top line was excellent, as a test, I think it was a test you passed.

Julian said: It was a beautiful, elegant moving waltz, my friend. Your core control and your top line, you were just like a leading man on the floor.

Ryan scored 25 from the judges.

Next up was Fr. Ray Kelly, who danced a charleston with his new partner Giulia Dotta. The pair danced to National Express by Divine Comedy.

Commenting after they finished, Fr. Ray said: I absolutely loved it, we had a great couple of days rehearsing I just really got into it and gave it my all.

Brian said: The fact remains that you are still here and actually tonight, I'm quite happy that you are still here. There was lots of stuff missing, there was one lift, but it was quite a small lift.

Julian said: Listen, Fr Ray, after that I'd definitely go for a ride on your bus. You are going from strength to strength, Father. With the Oscars coming tomorrow, after that performance, you get Best Actor from me.

Loraine said: I loved it, and I think everyone else here loved it. You are just so good together and so cute together. You gave us a fun, charming charleston. I just thought overall it was the sweetest charleston.

Fr. Ray scored 14 from the judges, his highest score yet.

Singer Sin ad O'Carroll and her switch-up partner John Nolan next performed a Viennese Waltz to Guilty by Paloma Faith.

After their performance, Sinead said that both of her dance partners, John and Ryan, have been relaxed and calm in their approaches to teaching her.

Julian said: The drama, this was a sexy, seductive Viennese Waltz, you really turned this upside down. I think ballroom is where you are in your comfort zone. Tonight, you shone on the floor.

Loraine said: Well I have to start by saying wow I did not expect that , I really didn't, but I loved everything you did. You took a beautiful, soft Viennese waltz and made it dark and moody. I just have to say, this was outstanding.

Brian said: It was a Viennese Waltz of the highest class in terms of dancing. I thought it was fabulous.

Sin ad scored 27 from the judges, her highest score of the series.

Kilkenny Hurler Aidan Fogarty paired up with Kylee Vincent this week and performed a lively cha-cha-cha to Feel's Like Home by Sigala.

Aidan said: Tonight wasn't my best night, but it's all about putting that in the past and going into the future.

Julian said: I call this a sort of tropical, popical cha cha. One thing I would like to see is a little bit more fluidity. But listen, cha-cha-licious.

Brian said: While this had a great beach party feel, it just wasn't up to your usual standard. If I change from being Brian Redmond to Brian Cody, he wouldn't have let you switch off at half time so get back out there.

Loraine said: What I as very impressed with was all the body action the ripples, the rolls, the hip action was there. The shoulders need to be a little bit more still, a little bit more fluidity in the hips to get it. I think with more time, you could have actually nailed what was a very good routine.

Aidan scored 18 from the judges.

After a break, the moment viewers and audience members alike were waiting for came when Brian Dowling got to fulfill his dream and dance with a same-sex professional for the first time ever on the series. Wearing matching suits, Brian and Kai Widdrington danced the quickstep to Take That's Out of Our Heads.

An emotional Brian sai

LINK:	https://about.rte.ie/2020/02/08/switch-up-week-sees-television-history...
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