Joanna Donnelly breaks down in tears after judge's comments on Dancing With The Stars

Joanna Donnelly was left in tears after paying tribute to her late mother on tonight's Dancing With The Stars.

She climbed off the bottom of the leaderboard following her emotional waltz, which also had the judges crying.

Comedian Gearóid Farrelly was the first celebrity to take to the dancefloor tonight. He put his comedy skills to good use as he and his dance partner Stephen Vincent lit up the dancefloor with a groovy Cha-cha-cha to the Saturday Night Fever classic, Disco Inferno. They scored a hot 28 from the judges.

Judge Loraine Barry said: "What a start to tonight's show with a fusion of disco and cha cha cha."

Karen Byrne added: "It definitely clicked tonight. That was a brilliant opening to the show."

Next up, singer Mickey Joe Harte and his pro partner Daniela Roze set pulses racing as they danced an upbeat and fun jive to Mickey by Toni Basil, but it didn't blow the judges mind. They scored 14.

Arthur Gourounlian said: "You didn't blow my mind. It was a little bit flat for me. But I love your energy and enthuiasm."

Karen added: "I love that song and I love how you attack everything."

TikTok star Kayleigh Trappe and Ervinas Merfeldas slowed things down with an elegant and smooth Viennese Waltz to Meghan Trainor's Timeless. They scored 29.

Brian said: "The sentimental of the movement was beautiful. Well done."

Loraine added: "It was truly beautiful."

Celebrity chef Kevin Dundon and his pro partner Rebecca Scott dished up a sizzling samba to Gipsy Kings’ Volare , but the four judges didn't like what was on the menu, scoring him 13 - with a two from Brian Redmond.

Karen said: "I am honest, it doesn't get the chef's kiss of approval. It was a bit overcooked."

Loraine added: "You were certainly flying tonight, but it didn't have the samba action I look for."

KIN favourite Yasmin Seky and Simone Arena danced an elegant Foxtrot to Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish. They picked up a score of 26.

Arthur said: "You radiate beauty."

Brian added: "It is time to put the peddle to the metal and get out of second gear."

After topping the leaderboard last week Rhys McClenaghan and his pro partner Laura Nolan impressed by the passion and drama once again as they danced a fiery and dramatic Tango to Tanguera. They earned an impressive 32.

Arthur said: "The opening was so hot and I can feel the passion from you. You truly have what it takes."

Brian added: "This week, I am really impressed because you gave me something I wasn't sure we were going to get. You proved you do stuff I wasn't even expecting"

Joanna Donnelly didn't let last week's low score dampen her spirits, and she had a lot to prove when took to the floor with a Waltz to Moon River by Barbara Streisand, which was a touching tribute to her late mother. She scored 23 from a very emotional judging panel.

Brian said: "Your mam would be so happy with what you did this evening. Yes, you need to project and express more. But this was a fabulous moment."

Loraine added: "Life is about making memories and you have created the most amazing memory of your mother to remember."

Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley and her partner Denys Samson stormed the dancefloor with an energetic paso doble to Standing in the Way of Control by The Gossip, getting a fiery 23 for the second week in a row.

Karen said: "I wanted a little more attack because I know you have it in you."

Arthur added: "For me, you devoured this dance. You have the power and intensity I need to see every week. You took control and I liked it."

Olympian Jack Woolley and Alex Vladimirov brought the energy to the dancefloor with dizzying twists and turns in their cha-cha-cha to Rush by Troye Sivan. They scored a total of 32.

Brian said: "Everything between the legs and the arms was excellent. Exceptional, well done.

Karen added: "The Woolley wiggle was out in full force. I loved the choreography. I am already excited for next time."