Co.Down gymnast and gold medal Olympian Rhys McClenaghan has been announced as one of the five new celebrities confirmed in the latest series of Dancing with the Stars.
Elaine Crowley, Kevin Dundon, Kayleigh Trappe, and Yasmin Seky were also confirmed on tonight’s Late Late Show.
Each celebrity spoke to Patrick Kielty about competing for the coveted glitterball trophy when the new series returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next month.
Rhys is hoping to bring some ‘pommel horse flair’ to the dancefloor.
“I’m thrilled to take on this new challenge and look forward to bringing some gymnastics skills to the dance floor,” he said.
“I took some time to travel, and as I begin my first training block for the LA Games, I will also have some fun figuring out how to dance. Hopefully, with the guidance of my pro dance partner, I can bring some of my pommel horse flair to the dance floor, too.”
The five celebrities were joined by Karen Byrne, the newest judge to join the Dancing with the Stars panel. Karen, a two-time winner across seven seasons, shared her insights on what it takes to bring home the glitterball not once, but twice.
Meet the dancers
RHYS MCCLENAGHAN
Recognised as one of the best pommel horse specialists of his generation, Rhys made history when he became the first-ever gymnast to win an Olympic gold medal in this sport for Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
He has celebrated many successes before this. He was the first Irish gymnast to compete in a European final and win a European medal, and also to win a world bronze medal in 2019.
He then took home a gold medal on the pommel horse at the 2019 European Championships and another gold at the 2023 World Championships. Rhys is also a Commonwealth Games champion on the pommel horse. He was named RTÉ‘s Sportsperson of the Year in 2023.
ELAINE CROWLEY
The popular television presenter has been central to Virgin Media’s daytime schedule for over twenty years and co-hosts Ireland AM alongside Martin King. Beginning her career in the newsroom, Elaine’s outgoing personality and likeability saw her eventually move to entertainment, where she hosted shows such as Midday and her self-titled talk show, Elaine.
Praised for being incredibly honest about the personal struggles she has faced throughout her career, Elaine has spoken frankly about being diagnosed with dysphoria and overcoming dark periods in her life.
KEVIN DUNDON
Celebrity chef, presenter and author Kevin is a household name in Ireland’s culinary circles. Best known for presenting television series such as Guerrilla Gourmet and Heat, Kevin is also an author and has published several cookbooks.
Kevin has cooked for Irish and US presidents and the late Queen Elizabeth II. He has appeared on various shows on Irish, British, Canadian and American television. Kevin recently launched his own podcast, Under The Grill, alongside journalist Caoimhe Young.
KAYLEIGH TRAPPE
Kayleigh is a social media star from Co. Monaghan. A former primary school teacher, she has amassed a huge following of over 400,000 followers and millions of likes on TikTok and Instagram for her comedy sketch videos, in which she lip-syncs along perfectly to pop culture clips and iconic Irish celebrity moments.
Some of her most famous sketches have attracted attention from those she has imitated, including Nadine Coyle, the cast of Derry Girls, Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy among others.
YASMIN SEKY
Best known for her breakout role in the RTÉ drama series Kin, in which she played the role of Nikita. Yasmin’s character was embroiled in the drama of the Kinsella family when she became the love interest of the lead character, Viking.
The Dublin actress is currently filming a brand-new Channel 5 crime drama, The Puzzle Lady in Northern Ireland, starring Phylis Logan (Downtown Abbey). Yasmin is playing the role of Becky Baidwan.
Who else has been confirmed?
The eleventh and final name will be revealed on Sunday morning to complete the lineup for the Dancing with the Stars class of 2025.
Earlier this week, Mickey Joe Harte, Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearóid Farrelly, Mrs Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede were revealed as the first five hopefuls who will be vying for the glitterball trophy in early 2025.
The glitz, glamour, and nail-biting competition will all unfold when the new season returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next month.
Dancing with the Stars will be hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy again this season.
The two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and professional dancer Karen Byrne will join the judging panel in 2025 alongside longstanding judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.
