Dancing with the Stars 2026 Unveils Exciting Celebrity Pairings

The highly anticipated celebrity dance competition, Dancing with the Stars, has announced its pairings ahead of the new season set to premiere on January 4, 2026. This year, the show features a mix of seasoned performers and newcomers, all vying for the coveted Glitterball trophy. With a fresh judging panel, including head judge Oti Mabuse, and new presenters Laura Fox and Jennifer Zamparelli, the excitement is palpable.

In addition to the new judging lineup, the show welcomes three professional dancers: Arianna Favaro, Leonardo Lini, and James Cutler, enhancing the competition’s dynamic. The lineup of twelve celebrities has now been paired with their dance partners, setting the stage for an exhilarating season.

Celebrity Dance Pairings Announced

This season’s pairings include:

– **Niamh Kavanagh** and **Stephen Vincent**: The Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh teams up with Stephen Vincent, who previously partnered with her friend and podcast co-host **Gearóid Farrelly**. Kavanagh’s support for Farrelly last season adds an intriguing layer to this pairing.

– **Paudie Moloney** and **Laura Nolan**: Following her success last season, Laura Nolan returns aiming for a third victory with popular figure **Paudie Moloney**, known for his role in the reality show Traitors Ireland.

– **Katelyn Cummins** and **Leonardo Lini**: The reigning Rose of Tralee, Katelyn Cummins, joins forces with newcomer Leonardo Lini, who specializes in Latin-American and ballroom dance. Cummins’ passion for the jive will be tested against Lini’s expertise.

– **Michael Fry** and **Kylee Vincent**: Comic and actor Michael Fry partners with Kylee Vincent, who is making her return following maternity leave. This pairing promises a mix of humor and skill as they aim for success.

– **Stephanie Kelly** and **Ervinas Merfeldas**: In his fourth season, Ervinas Merfeldas hopes that partnering with **Fair City** star Stephanie Kelly will propel him to victory, building on his previous success reaching the finals.

– **Eric Roberts** and **Arianna Favaro**: **Ireland AM** host Eric Roberts will dance with newcomer Arianna Favaro, an Italian dancer known for her competitive Latin-American style and stage performances.

– **Philip Doyle** and **Daniela Roze**: Dr. Philip Doyle seeks to maintain his winning streak by teaming up with five-time all-Ireland Latin dance champion Daniela Roze.

– **Tolu Makay** and **Maciej Zieba**: Tolu Makay partners with Maciej Zieba, who returns for a second season after extensive competition experience in Latin-American and ballroom dancing.

– **Amber Wilson** and **Alex Vladimirov**: Marking a milestone as the first all-female partnership in the show’s history, podcaster Amber Wilson joins Alex Vladimirov, who aims for another successful run after reaching the finals last season.

– **Anne Cassin** and **Robert Rowinski**: Nationwide presenter Anne Cassin will be partnered with the seasoned Robert Rowinski, who is in his seventh season and hopes to finally win the Glitterball.

– **Jordan Dargan** and **Rebecca Scott**: Entrepreneur Jordan Dargan, a finalist from *Apprentice UK*, is paired with Rebecca Scott, who reached the quarter-finals last season.

– **Brian Kennedy** and **James Cutler**: In a notable same-sex pairing, singer Brian Kennedy teams up with newcomer James Cutler, a British professional known for his accomplishments in ballroom and Latin dance.

With these exciting pairings, Dancing with the Stars promises a thrilling season filled with talent, creativity, and competitive spirit. Viewers can catch all the action on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player starting from January 4, 2026.