Dancing with the Stars returned for a third series on 6 January 2019 on RTÉ One for a twelve-week run.[1][2]
Nicky Byrne returned as host for a third year, joined by Jennifer Zamparelli who replaces Amanda Byram as co-host.[3][4]
Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry and Julian Benson all returned as judges.[5]
On 2 December 2018, Mairéad Ronan, was officially announced as the first celebrity to be taking part.[6] Celebrity reveals then continued every day until 7 December when the final three contestants were revealed during an appearance on The Late Late Show.[7][8]
On 26 December 2018, professional dancer Curtis Pritchard was involved in an incident where he and his brother, AJ Pritchard, were attacked in a nightclub by eight people.[9] Curtis sustained injuries to his face, eye and knee. Because of the attack, Curtis was forced to undergo surgery on his knee, he was therefore ruled out of taking part in the series until further notice. It was confirmed he would be replaced by a new professional dancer.[10] On 4 January 2019, Curtis' replacement was confirmed as being former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Trent Whiddon.[11] The rest of the pairings were revealed later that day on the pre-show, Can't Stop Dancing.[12]
This table only counts for single dances scored on a traditional 30-points scale. It does not include the Team Dance or Marathon scores.
The highest and lowest performances in each dance according to the judges' scale are as follows.
Unless indicated otherwise, individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry, Julian Benson.
Guest act: Series 2 champions, Jake Carter and Karen Byrne performing a Contemporary Ballroom to 'Sign of the Times'
Guest act: Ryan Mack performing ‘Sofa’.
Guest act: Wild Youth performing ‘Making Me Dance’.
Individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry, Darren Bennett.
Due to an illness, Darren Bennett filled in for Julian Benson for the night.
Dance-Off
Judges' votes to save
Individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry, Darren Bennett.
Darren Bennett filled in for Julian Benson.
All performances this week are accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Dance-Off
Judges' votes to save
Julian Benson returned to the panel following a two-week absence.
After each couple performed their individual dance, all six couples were separated into two teams to perform a team dance to earn a higher individual scores.
Dance-Off
Judges' votes to save
After each couple performed their individual dance, all five couples took to the floor for the "Eurothon" in a bid to increase their scores.
Guest act: Johnny Logan performing "Hold Me Now" and Sarah McTernan performing '22'.
Dance-Off
Judges' votes to save
The couples will perform two dances, the first being a song by an Irish artist to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day.
Guest act: Walking on Cars performing 'Coldest Water'.
Dance-Off
For the dance-off Johnny & Emily chose to perform their Paso Doble, while Fred & Giulia chose their Salsa.
Judges' votes to save
Guest act: Westlife performing 'Hello My Love'.