The Daily Star Ireland
Karen Byrne, a two-time winner of Dancing with the Stars, will join the judging panel when the show returns in 2025, RTÉ has confirmed. Byrne, who triumphed in 2018 with singer Jake Carter and again in 2024 with Paralympian Jason Smyth, will join veteran judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond, and Arthur Gourounlian for the upcoming season.
Byrne expressed her excitement about transitioning from the dance floor to the judges’ table, saying it feels surreal and she’s looking forward to sitting in what she considers the best seat in the house. She added that she’s honored to be joining the panel and excited for the new season to start in January 2025.
Head judge Loraine Barry shared her enthusiasm for Byrne’s addition, while Arthur Gourounlian and Brian Redmond also voiced their excitement, with Redmond noting that Byrne’s experience as a two-time champion will bring an extra layer of excitement to the judging panel.
Byrne, a skilled Ballroom and Latin dancer from Ballyfermot, has been a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars for seven seasons. Aside from her work on the show, she also teaches dance at her studio in Inchicore and co-hosts a podcast with her partner Jake Carter and his brother Nathan.
The show’s returning hosts, Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy, will lead the upcoming season, with the first celebrity contestant set to be revealed on December 9, 2024.
