BIG WIN
RTE Dancing with the Stars 2024 winner revealed in tense final as viewers left majorly divided
Jason Smyth looked thrilled as he won the Glitterball trophy
THE RTE Dancing With The Stars 2024 winner has been revealed after a very tense final.
Tonight was the finale of the hit RTE series and everyone was speculating who will be the one to nab the coveted Glitterball trophy.
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Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian were back to give their professional and tough-talking reviews and scores tonight but the decision was made by the viewers.
And David Whelan, Laura Fox, Denys Samson and Jason Smyth all brought their A-game.
They first performed their favourite dances from the season that were picked by the judges and then returned on stage for their showdance.
The celebs were on the edge of their seats wondering who would be the winner and in the end, it was revealed that Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne won.
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The Paralympian started off the night doing the samba to Rhythm Divine by Enrique Iglesias.
Arthur told him: This was incredible. The way you shook your body, every coconut in the world fell off the trees."
Loraine said: "Tonight you were out there smiling, but you were living that samba."
They ended up getting 28 points from the judges.
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The pair then performed to DITA's Make It Look Easy for their showdance.
Karen put on a blindfold on for their performance and was left in floods of tears after the emotional dance.
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Brian said: "I think the real magician over these few months has been Karen."
When it was revealed they had won, Jason and Karen looked thrilled as they hugged each other.
"As I've mentioned so much, it's about showing people what's possible. Maybe just two people to thank, my wife, who has made huge sacrifices as I've been here and this young lady beside me here."
And while some RTE viewers felt it was well deserved, others were left divided.
One fan said: "Are they actually taking the p***? this is the 5th time out of 7 that the weakest dancer in the final won."
Annie tweeted: "My favourite dancer is Salome every year but if she’s going to lose I’m glad Jason and Karen got it. Jason is fab ambassador."
VIEWER REACTION
Elaine wrote: "Congrats to Jason and Karen on their win! That showstopper was very special."
Adam commented: "I'm so happy for Jason and Karen."
Susan added: "Well congratulations to Karen and Jason but yet again I'm confused. Is it a dancing competition or a popularity contest?"
2FM’s Laura Fox and Denys Samson kicked off the show by performing the jive to River Deep - Mountain High by Tina Turner.
The judges were blown away by the performance as Arthur said: "You are one foxy finalist. You were in with every single step. You have became this incredible dancer in three months."
Brian added: "That had energy in it from the first beat right till the last beat."
PERFECT SCORE
They got a perfect 10 from the judges.
They came back out with a bang to perform their last dance to Michael Bolton's Disney hit Go The Distance.
Tonight Wild Youth singer David Whelan and partner Salome Chachua dancing the jive to You Never Can Tell by Chuck Berry.
Brian said the dance was "Great music from a great movie Pulp Fiction. There is nothing fictional about how good you are. In fact I think this is making the best seller lists all over the world.
"Tonight every step was about as tight as John Travolta's trousers."
While Arthur added: "This should be engraved in Dancing With The Stars history because it was perfection. You are simply the best."
'EPIC'
He got a perfect score of 30 from the judges.
For their showdance All That Really Matters by Illenium and Teddy Swims.
International Drag star Blu Hydrangea and partner Simone Arena performed contemporary ballroom to Loreen's hit Tattoo.
Arthur said: "The vulnerability and emotion you gave tonight, it was incredible. This was iconic and now it's even better."
Brian said: "It was just epic."
Blu of course got another perfect score of 30 points.
They did their final performance dancing to I Am What I Am by John Barrowman.
Blu was left in floods of tears after the dance and was so proud.