Eric Roberts impresses with high-energy jive on Dancing with the Stars

Eric Roberts had an impressive start to Dancing with the Stars as he finished second on the leaderboard on the first episode.

Glen native and Ireland AM presenter Eric took to the dancefloor for the first time with his partner, Italian professional dancer Arianna Favaro. They shook things up with a Jive to Shake a Tail Feather by The Blues Brothers and Ray Charles.

They scored 29 points out of a possible 40, finishing second. Reigning Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins topped the leaderboard with a score of 31 points.

Speaking on Ireland AM this morning, Eric said he was “over the moon” with his first performance.

Eric joined eleven celebrities taking to the floor for the first time on the hit RTÉ show last night. They are Eurovision winner and singer Niamh Kavanagh, Olympic medal winning rower and doctor Philip Doyle, podcaster Amber Wilson, comedian and actor Michael Fry, Nationwide presenter Anne Cassin, Apprentice UK finalist Jordan Dargan, singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy, musician Tolü Makay, Fair City actress Stephanie Kelly, reigning Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins and Paudie Moloney from The Traitors Ireland.

A brand new judge, a new presenter and three new professional dancers took to the dancefloor for the opening episode of the ninth series.

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The twelve celebrities along with their pro dancers, the four judges Oti Mabuse, Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne who opened the show by performing a group dance to We Are Family by Cedric Gervais x Nile Rodgers.

New professional dancers Arianna Favaro, Leonardo Lini, and James Cutler joined returning dancers Laura Nolan, Robert Rowiński, Ervinas Merfeldas, Stephen Vincent, Kylee Vincent, Maciej Zieba, Rebecca Scott, Daniela Roze and Alex Vladimirov.

Last night was the debut for new judge Oti Mabuse, a former Strictly Come Dancing professional who won the show in 2019 and 2020. Former Dancing with the Stars finalist and 2fm presenter Laura Fox made her debut as co-host alongside Jennifer Zamparelli.