RTÉ confirms the future of Dancing With The Stars ahead of show's return

RTÉ has confirmed the future of Dancing With The Stars, ahead of the show’s return in January.

The programme’s future is often up-in-the-air due to pending contracts, but the broadcaster has now revealed it’s been given the green light for two more seasons.

A spokesperson told the Irish Mail on Sunday that RTÉ has signed a two-year deal with ShinAwil, the production company behind the series.

“RTÉ is delighted to have signed a two-year deal with SHINAWIL to produce Dancing with the Stars for RTÉ audiences in 2026 and 2027,” the spokeswoman said.

Dancing with the Stars has become a mainstay of RTÉ One’s Sunday-night entertainment since its debut in 2017.

Season nine will kick off on January 4th, and after the shock departure of Loraine Barry, former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse will step into the role of Head Judge, joining Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne on the panel.

The 2026 line-up of celebrities includes former Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh, Paudie Moloney from The Traitors Ireland, reigning Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins, comedian and actor Michael Fry, Fair City actress Stephanie Kelly, TV presenter and social media star Eric Roberts, Olympic medal-winning rower and doctor Philip Doyle, singer Tolü Makay, podcaster Amber Wilson, Nationwide presenter Anne Cassin, Apprentice UK finalist Jordan Dargan, and singer Brian Kennedy.

Three new professional dancers are also joining the show this year – Arianna Favaro, Leonardo Lini, and James Cutler.

The dance pairings include the first female same-sex couple, with podcaster Amber Wilson, the older sister of Vogue Williams, being paired with pro dancer Alex Vladimirov.

In the second same-sex pairing of this year’s series, Brian Kennedy has been partnered with newcomer James Cutler.

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