Gearóid Farrelly exits Dancing with the Stars on Orchestra Night

February 24, 2025

Gearóid Farrelly was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars during the show's lavish Orchestra Night on Sunday.

Gearóid was heartfelt when talking about his time on the show.

"This has been the most incredible experience, it's been the happiest few months of my life", he said.

"The pro dancers are the most unbelievable people. They are therapists, they're talking us off a ledge, they're a lifeline for the competition and he is the captain of the ship," Gearóid said of his pro partner Stephen Vincent.

"He is the absolute best. We got a good friendship out of it and that's worth more than the glitterball for me."

Gearóid and Stephen will speak to Laura Fox on 2FM at 9.30am on Monday morning for their first broadcast interview following their exit from the show.

The two couples who found themselves in the dance off were Gearóid Farrelly and Danny O'Carroll, with the judges choosing to keep Danny in the competition.

Gearóid Farrelly and Danny O'Carroll found themselves in the dance-off

Conducted by Music Director Gavin Murphy, they were joined by Susan McFadden and Ashton Jones on live vocals.

The story of the night:

The first celebrity to take to the floor tonight was social media star Kayleigh Trappe, who performed a Charleston to Lady Gaga's version of That’s Entertainment alongside her pro dance partner Ervinas Merfeldas.

Watch Kayleigh Trappe and Ervinas Merfeldas perform a Charleston

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Loraine said it was a "charismatic and fun-filled Charleston" and praised that "there was some quirkiness about it as well". She added: "You nailed it, fabulous opening."

Arthur said: "Kayleigh that was most definitely entertaining, I loved it! The Charleston character was cheeky, you guys brought it tonight. This really suited you."

Brian said: "Was I entertained? Yes I was. We want that quirky elegance in the movements, you got that right. The lifts were breathtaking, well done."

Karen added: "The swivels were brilliant, overall I think Charleston is all about character and I think you did a great job."

Kayleigh and Ervinas scored a total of 32 points.

Next up, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor, Danny O’Carroll and pro partner Salome Chachua brought the heat with a Salsa to Lionel Richie’s All Night Long.

Watch Danny O'Carroll and Salome Chachua perform a Salsa

Arthur said: "Danny I could watch you dancing all night long! It was a feelgood vibrant dance for me, I can see the joy in your movement. Your hip action was sexy! It was infectious, dynamic - I loved it."

Brian said: "Danny, you're sort of starting to get the hand of this dancing lark! The technique was there, the energy was there. You're becoming a real contender."

Karen said: "I feel like you have full on Swayze vibes tonight. It looked easy, we know it's not easy, I thought it was great."

Loraine added: "For me it was a Danny cool. You were very chilled, very relaxed, it was that inner rhythm. I liked the way you drew us all in. I liked you tonight, a lot."

Danny and Salome scored a total of 33 points.

Chef Kevin Dundon and his dance partner Rebecca Scott danced into Orchestra Night with a Foxtrot to Livin’ Thing by Electric Light Orchestra.

Watch Kevin Dundon and Rebecca Scott dance a Foxtrot

Brian said: "Foxtrot is a dance full of really challenging techniques, but it's also a dance that can be fuddy duddy. I've never seen anybody bring as much fun to a Foxtrot before. It was pretty good!"

Karen said: "That was a Foxtrot with lovely rise and fall, you're improving every week. You deserve to be here and I believe in you. You make everyone smile!"

Loraine said: "For me you had some magical moments. I like you as you know in frame and that's all I want, more of that."

Arthur said: "I loved it! You were having the time of your life there and I see the joy on your face, that's what dancing is all about. It was a stylish and charming performance."

Kevin and Rebecca scored a total of 24 points.

Following on from earning the first perfect score of the season last week, Taekwondo athlete Jack Woolley and his partner Alex Vladimirov danced a fiery Samba to the Ricky Martin hit The Cup of Life.

Watch Jack Woolley and Alex Vladimirov dance a Samba

Karen said: "Jack - go on you good thing! You brought the sass to Samba. That was like looking at two pros out on the floor. It was brilliant!"

Loraine said: "Thank you for taking us out of wet and windy Ireland and transporting us to Rio de Janeiro! It was so vibrant, there was so much energy. There was so much fun!"

Arthur said: "That was a dynamic Samba. Your Samba bounce was incredible!"

Brian added: "I could feel myself getting a stitch just watching you, that level of energy - it's very difficult to achieve. It's the first time I saw you look complete from top to toe."

Jack and Alex scored a total of 37 points.

Former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede and her dance partner Robert Rowiński danced an American Smooth to Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles.

Watch Aishah Akorede and Robert Rowiński dance an American Smooth

Loraine said: "Aishah just like you that was absolutely beautiful, it truly was American Smooth. You had the posture and the poise, but the highlight was the elegant lift on Robert's back. It was simply divine."

Arthur said: "To me you have this beautiful zest about you, how graceful and demure you were in this number. Your lifts were mesmerizing, you were floating tonight. It was a gorgeous, heartfelt performance and my ballroom of the season."

Brian said: "The last two weeks have been tough, it was a pleasure to see you back doing your thing, you were so elegant. If there's any lesson to be taken away, it's that belief is internal. Believe in yourself, because I believe in you."

Karen added: "This dance highlighted you two as a couple so nicely. Everything was seamless, but not only that, for me it was the end, You can tell that it's so genuine and it's special."

Aishah and Robert scored a total of 36 points.

Olympic hero Rhys McClenaghan and his pro partner Laura Nolan took to the floor with a Contemporary Ballroom to The Verve anthem, Bittersweet Symphony.

Watch Rhys McClenaghan and Laura Nolan dance a Contemporary Ballroom

Arthur said: "Rhys wow! That was truly captivating. Your movement and the way you extended everything, you were flowing. I was in awe! Your lifts were seamless, your lines were beautiful."

Brian said: "I've asked you to show more emotion, and tonight you had a great big smile on your face. You're starting to deliver that more and more. Well done."

Karen said: "It was seamless from one movement to the next. It was as smooth as butter!"

Loraine added: "What you did in there, with the leaps, with the lifts, with the floor work and putting in your hand stand... I thought it was truly sublime."

Rhys and Laura scored a total of 39 points.

Finally, comedian Gearóid Farrelly and his pro partner Stephen Vincent danced an energetic Charleston to Emeli Sandé and The Bryan Ferry Orchestra’s version of Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love.

Watch Gearóid Farrelly and Stephen Vincent dance a Charleston

Brian said: "I'm delighted to say, I enjoyed watching that from start to finish. The power, the energy, the control. I think this is the best dance I've seen you do."

Karen said: "For me from the get-go it was a cute take on a Charleston. Can we talk about the props, you had two and you handled them brilliantly. It's one of your best dances, you should be proud."

Loraine said: "There is a fun, cheeky energy about you tonight. There's so much there, swivels, timing, the lifts, all that drama. I commend you for putting that in."

Arthur added: "For me it was one stylish Charleston, so playful, with a very cute character. And most of all theatrical! I loved it, you shined tonight."

Gearóid and Stephen scored a total of 33 points.

To close tonight’s show, the Dancing with the Stars professional dancers performed a flowing number to Yesterday by The Beatles.

Dancing with the Stars continues on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next Sunday, 2 March at 6:30pm.

Photos by Kyran O’Brien.

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