Dancing with the Stars reveals who’s next to go amid elimination shock

Dancing with the Stars just delivered a shocking elimination that left fans stunned. RTE Nationwide presenter Anne Cassin was sent home in the first dance-off of the season this past Sunday, scored just 14 points for her leopard-print Jive. But her elimination wasn’t the only bombshell of Fright Night.

Anne Cassin’s Unexpected Dance-Off Against Olympic Rower

Anne Cassin, beloved RTE broadcaster, faced Philip Doyle, an Olympic rower, in Sunday’s dramatic first dance-off. The Nationwide presenter performed a sassy Jive to Zara Larsson’s ‘Can’t Tame Her’ in leopard print attire. Despite her energetic effort, judges gave her just 14 points, rooting her to the bottom of the leaderboard. Judge Karen Byrne noted she ‘lacked a little bit of oomph,’ while Brian Redmond criticized her knee placement. When it came time to decide who stayed and who left, all four judges voted unanimously to save Philip, sending Anne home unexpectedly.

Anne took her elimination gracefully, telling hosts she had an ‘immersive, absorbing, challenging, difficult and wonderful’ experience on the ballroom floor. Her professional partner Robert Rowiński praised her hard work throughout the competition. Viewers expressed shock on social media, with many noting she was a ‘natural’ who should have lasted longer.

Eric Roberts Steals the Night with Record-Breaking Charleston

Ireland AM presenter Eric Roberts delivered one of the most talked-about performances of Dancing with the Stars 2026 so far. His creepy Charleston routine with partner Arianna Favaro, performed as marionette dolls, earned an incredible 39 points. The judges jumped to their feet in applause. Oti Mabuse exclaimed, ‘Stop the lights, that was amazing!’ while Karen Byrne called it ‘the dance of the night’ and a moment of ‘perfection.’ Roberts received three perfect 10 scores, cementing himself as a serious contender for the competition title.

The Donegal native opened the night’s performances with explosive energy and flawless execution. ‘I feel like this show always has a dance that you remember and go, wasn’t that just perfection, and tonight this was the dance,’ Karen Byrne said after their performance. With 39 points, Eric now sits at the top of the season’s scoreboard, proving he could be the one to beat.

Week 6 Results and Leaderboard Breakdown

‘I think I might be crying, stop the lights, that was amazing. You understood the assignment.’

— Oti Mabuse, Head Judge

Rising Stars and Stunning Performances at Fright Night

While Anne Cassin left the stage, other contestants proved their mettle during Sunday’s spooky celebration. Niamh Kavanagh, the Eurovision winner, and partner Stephen Vincent achieved their highest score ever at 31 points for their commanding Paso Doble. Traitors Ireland star Paudie Moloney brought drama in his green cloak, dancing to the theme from his famous reality show. Fair City’s Stephanie Kelly impressed judges with fun energy, while singer Jordan Dargan maintained his position as a strong competitor. The remaining eight couples will continue competing in next week’s Boy Bands vs Girl Groups Night, airing Sunday, February 15.

Katelyn Cummins enjoyed immunity this week after winning the previous elimination’s public vote, earning a straight pass to the next round. Her performance last week secured her spot and gave her a much-needed break from the pressure.

What’s Next for the Remaining Dancing with the Stars Contestants?

The competition heats up as we move into mid-season form. With Anne Cassin gone, eight couples remain and the stakes are rising. The leaderboard shows tight competition, with Eric Roberts on top but no clear frontrunner yet. Paudie Moloney proved he has more to offer after earlier struggles, while Niamh Kavanagh continues gaining momentum. The battle for the glitterball trophy is far from decided, and next week’s themed night could shake up the rankings entirely. Will Boy Bands vs Girl Groups Night favor certain contestants, or will the underdogs finally break through?

Sources

• RSVP Live – Comprehensive coverage of week 6 Fright Night elimination
• The Irish Sun – Eric Roberts’ record-breaking 39-point Charleston performance
• The Irish Times – Dance-off analysis and season review

Jessica Morrison

Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.