The semi-final of Dancing with the Stars delivered a shock elimination on Sunday night, as entrepreneur and The Apprentice UK alum Jordan Dargan and his professional partner Rebecca Scott were sent home after a tense dance-off. Dargan, who made history as the first Irish-Nigerian contestant on the UK version of the show, expressed his disappointment, stating, “I am gutted.” The elimination leaves three couples vying for the coveted glitterball trophy in next week’s final.
Dargan’s journey on the RTÉ show marked a significant departure from his world of business. As the founder of Rendify Studios, a 3D animation company, he initially admitted to stepping far outside his comfort zone by joining the competition. However, he embraced the challenge, stating he believed “true growth always sits on the other side of doing the things that terrify you,” according to RTÉ. His willingness to confront his fears resonated with audiences, particularly given his openness about experiencing online abuse during his time on The Apprentice.
The semi-final saw the remaining five couples perform two routines each as part of the show’s “Dancing through the Decades” theme. Dargan and Scott impressed the judges with a Cha Cha Cha to ‘Dreamer’ by Livin’ Joy, earning a score of 38. They followed this with a Charleston to the Beatles’ hit ‘Help!’ alongside professional dancer James Cutler, receiving a score of 39, for a combined total of 77. Despite their strong performance, they found themselves in the dance-off against Tolü Makay and Maciej Zięba.
The dance-off proved to be nail-biting, with both couples delivering compelling performances. The judges chose to save Makay and Zięba, sending Dargan and Scott home. “We were so close, and I wanted it so badly,” Dargan said after the announcement, as reported by RTÉ. He also paid tribute to his dance partner, Rebecca Scott, adding, “You’ve helped me grow as a dancer and a person.”
Earlier in the evening, Paudie Moloney and Laura Nolan opened the show with a 1930s-inspired American Smooth, scoring 26 points. Katelyn Cummins and Leonardo Lini then delivered the first perfect score of the night with their 1920s Charleston, earning a 40 from the judges.
Dargan acknowledged the strong bonds formed with his fellow contestants, stating he was “overjoyed” for Tolü Makay and the other finalists. “There’s never been any animosity,” he told RSVP after the show. “Healthy rivalry, but I said whoever makes it to that final or whoever beats me or whoever wins, I’ll genuinely delighted for them, because we’ve all created such strong bonds in this group.”
Although disappointed, Dargan reflected positively on his experience, saying he had “the time of my life.” He also expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him throughout the competition. The Irish Sun reported that Dargan “left everything out on the dance floor.”
The final of Dancing with the Stars will see Tolü Makay and Maciej Zięba, Paudie Moloney and Laura Nolan, and Katelyn Cummins and Leonardo Lini compete for the championship. The competition promises to be fierce as the remaining couples prepare to showcase their skills one last time.
As the series nears its conclusion, viewers are left to anticipate which couple will ultimately lift the glitterball trophy. The final episode is scheduled to air next week, promising a spectacular culmination of weeks of hard perform, dedication, and dazzling performances.
What did you think of Jordan Dargan’s elimination? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
