Derry paralympian Jason Smyth and his professional dance partner Karen Byrne have been crowned the winners of Dancing with the Stars 2024.
In the best final of the show to date, the new champions saw off the challenge of Wild Youth’s David Whelan and his professional dance partner Salome Chachua; 2FM’s Laura Fox and her professional dance partner Denys Samson; and RuPaul’s Drag Race champion Blu Hydrangea and her professional dance partner Simone Arena to take the glitterball trophy.
“For me, and I’ve said it many times, the message is about looking at what is possible,” Smyth told RTÉ Entertainment after the result was announced.
“I come from a background of zero dancing; I’ve got less than 10% vision.
“I have improved massively over this period in time – and obviously a huge part of that is Karen. To be in the final and to win… Amazing. The wider message is ‘what we can achieve’.”
Smyth and Byrne received 28 points out of a possible 30 for their Judges’ Choice dance, a Samba, and the maximum 30 for their Show Dance – a stunning routine that saw Byrne blindfolded and not a dry eye in the house.
All the voting power was in the public’s hands on the night – and Smyth and Byrne’s story captured the most hearts.
Their partnership became one of the cornerstones of the series as show veteran Byrne – the 2018 DWTS champion and the only professional dancer who has been with the RTÉ programme from the start – brought out the best in a sporting legend who was competing on the dancefloor with less than 10% vision.
“I genuinely just wanted it for Jason,” Byrne told RTÉ Entertainment after lifting the glitterball trophy.
“I see day in and day out what he does. I’ve been on this show for seven seasons. I know everyone puts hard work in – that’s what they sign up for.
“But the work that he has to do on top of the hard work… Even getting to the studio is a massive ordeal. Everyone else jumps into their car and drives. It’s all them extra little things – going for lunch, running in and grabbing a sandwich, it’s not that easy for Jason.”
Summing up the feelings of the judges and audience alike, head judge Loraine Barry said that Smyth, under the superb tutelage of Byrne, had delivered “a lesson for all of us in what you can do in life”.
Another Smyth victory that will inspire many – on and off the dancefloor.
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan praised Jason for his win.
Posting on social media, Mr Durkan wrote: “Well done to Jason Smyth who has just been crowned Dancing With The Stars 2024 champion.
“Another title for Jason, who has been a tremendous ambassador for Derry and his participation on the show has done much to raise awareness and understanding of disability.”
Well done Jason!!!
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