DANCING WITH THE STARS IRELAND

Brian joins as a celebrity dancer

Brian has been announced as the final celebrity dancer to take a twirl onto the dancefloor for the ninth series of Dancing with the Stars airing from Sunday 4 January 2026. 

Speaking about joining DWTS Brian said:

“I’m so excited to join the cast of Dancing with the Stars. I’m really looking forward to getting fit and to learn how to dance properly and the challenge of that. What a way to start what will be my 60th year on the planet!” 

Dancing with the Stars is hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Laura Fox. Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RTÉ 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. 

The full line up for the DWTS Class of 2026 is:

Eurovision winner and singer Niamh Kavanagh

Paudie Moloney from The Traitors Ireland

Reigning Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins

Comedian and actor Michael FryFair

City actress Stephanie Kelly

Television presenter Eric Roberts

Olympic medal winning rower and doctor Philip Doyle

Musician Tolü Makay

Podcaster Amber Wilson

Nationwide presenter Anne Cassin

Apprentice UK finalist Jordan Dargan

Singer -songwriter Brian Kennedy

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

Dancing with the Stars is produced by ShinAwiL for RTÉ.

Dancing with the Stars is proudly sponsored by Hyundai. 

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