Dancing with the Stars winner Jason Smyth was an inspiration on the show and won the nation’s hearts while dancing on our TV screens.
Despite being 90% blind, the Irish Paralympian was crowned 2024 Dancing with the Stars champion despite impressive competition from fellow finalists Laura Fox, Blu Hydrangea and David Whelan.
In a show of solidarity, his professional dance partner Karen Byrne went blindfolded into their final dance so that she could experience just once what he experienced week after week on the show.
After the performance, she broke down in tears and admitted she was relieved to have not let Jason down and told the audience that "he has changed my life" during their time together on the show.
"For me, and I’ve said it many times, the message is about looking at what is possible," Jason said after the final. "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 down to Karen. To be in the final and to win . . . Amazing. But the wider message is 'what we can achieve’."
Jason also spoke about being away from his wife and children for such a long time, as he had to base himself in Dublin for the duration of Dancing with the Stars.
"I haven’t been home since January the First," he said. "In those moments it can be difficult. But I think as time passes and you reflect is really when you appreciate it. My two girls there on FaceTime, they’re over the Moon.
"It’s easy then to forget some of the difficulties. It can all be worth it in the end."
Jason’s pro dance partner Karen Byrne was overcome with emotion after the couple completed their final dance and afterwards she was keen to once more express her admiration for Jason.
"I genuinely just wanted it for Jason," Karen said after their victory. "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," she added. "Even getting to the studio is a massive ordeal. Everyone else jumps into their car and drives.
"It’s all the extra little things - going for lunch, running in and grabbing a sandwich, it’s not that easy for Jason."
Earlier on, each of the four finalist couples braved the stairs for one last time as they joined the dancefloor.
Laura Fox and Denys Samson, Blu Hydrangea and Simone Arena, Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne and David Whelan and Salome Chachua were the four couples who reached the final after an outstanding season.
Hosts Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy once again oversaw proceedings, while judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian watched on as everything unfolded on the dancefloor.
The final of season seven of Dancing with the Stars began with a dazzling opening number from the pro-dancers and the finalists, set to Feels This Good by Sigala.
The Story of the Night:
The competition part of the final began with the Judges’ Choice.
Each couple had to dance one of their dances from earlier in the season again, as chosen by Loraine, Brian and Arthur.
Laura
First to take to the floor were Laura and Denys with their Week 1 Jive to River Deep Mountain High by the Glee cast.
Head judge Loraine Barry said Laura and Denys "smashed it". There was more accuracy and precision. "It was all there," Loraine concluded.
Fellow judge Arthur Gourounlian saluted "an incredible dancer in three months". "J'adore!"
Brian Redmond said it was "exactly what we want from Judges' Choice". He saluted Laura's "energy and power".
Total score: 30 points for Laura and Denys
Jason
Next up were Jason and Karen who brought back their Samba to Rhythm by Enrique Iglesias from Week 7.
Arthur Gourounlian said it was "incredible". "The way you shook your body - every coconut fell out of the tree!". Arthur added that it was "gorgeous".
Brian Redmond said the dance had more "quality", "technique" and "fun" this time and saluted Jason for coming so far as a dancer so quickly.
Loraine Barry said there had been "100% improvement" in Jason's technique. She added she was delighted for both Jason and Karen.
Total score: 28 points for Jason and Karen
David
Third to take their turn on the floor were David and Salome who were also dancing their Jive. They returned to the Week 4 performance to You Never Can Tell + Misirlou from the Pulp Fiction soundtrack.
Brian Redmond raved that "every step was about as tight as John Travolta's trousers!"
Loraine Barry said it was "off the charts" and "truly fantastic".
Arthur Gourounlian said the routine was "perfection" and will go down in DWTS history. "You are simply the best!" he shouted.
Total score: 30 points for David and Salome.
Blu
And then it was the turn of Blu Hydrangea and Simone who revisited a Contemporary Ballroom number from Week 5 to Tattoo by Loreen.
Loraine Barry was in awe. She said Blu and Simone were "phenomenal". "This is absolutely fantastic," she concluded.
Arthur Gourounlian hailed the "vulnerability" and "emotion" from Blu and the "power" and "strength" from Simone in an "iconic" routine.
Brian Redmond said it was "everything coming together". "It was just epic," he added.
Total score: 30 points for Blu and Simone.
At the halfway point, Laura and Denys, David and Salome, and Blu and Simone all had 30 points after Judges' Choice, and Jason and Karen had 28.
Showdances
For the second and concluding part of the contest, the couples took to the floor for the very last time to perform their Showdance.
Laura
First up were Laura and Denys who danced to Make It Look Easy by DITA.
Arthur Gourounlian said: "A star is born!" He said the performance was "the cherry on the top" for Laura and Denys' last dance. "It was sensational!"
Brian Redmond said a standing ovation was "absolutely warranted". He saluted Laura's "focus, determination and never-say-die" attitude with much praise for Denys as a teacher. "I don't think you can get any better than that," he concluded.
Loraine Barry said it was "non-stop from start to finish". She said Laura and Denys’s relationship is "amazing". "Spectacular!" she concluded.
Total score: 30 points for Laura and Denys.
Jason
For Jason and Karen’s last spin on the dancefloor they danced to Go The Distance by Michael Bolton, with Karen blindfolded in solidarity with Jason. At the end, Karen burst into tears.
This was absolutely magical from Jason and Karen 😭❤️️ #dwtsirl pic.twitter.com/l1c5pRGU5X
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) March 17, 2024
An emotional Brian Redmond said Jason had taught everyone so much. He said Karen had been "a magician" for nurturing Jason as a dancer. "She's never, ever treated you like somebody who can't, only somebody who can... All I can do is thank both of you."
Loraine Barry said everyone had "gained an experience" with Jason. She said the couple's risk-taking "paid off". "This was an exhibition and a lesson for all of us in what you can do in life."
Arthur Gourounlian said Jason had "conquered the mountain". He said Jason and Karen put "everything into it". "Jason, thank you on behalf of everybody for inspiring us," he said through tears.
Total score: 30 points for Jason and Karen
David
David and Salome had chosen to dance to All That Really Matters by Illenium for their final performance together.
A breathtaking showstopper from David and Salome 💙 #dwtsirl pic.twitter.com/bSNUUZEeOW
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) March 17, 2024
Loraine Barry said it was "truly, an incredible showdance". "There's simply only one word: it's breathtaking."
Lost for words, Arthur Gourounlian said it was "incredible". Through tears, he saluted Salome's "outstanding choreography" throughout the series.
Brian Redmond said David and Salome had "given us so much", but he thought David had "gotten more" than he'd given. He saluted David's newfound "love of dance" and the connection he now has with his father as a result.
Total score: 30 points for David and Salome.
Blu
And finally, Blu and Simone wrapped up the competitive performances with their Showdance to I Am What I Am by John Barrowman.
Arthur Gourounlian said it was a "Broadway extravaganza". "Be free, be whoever you want to be, don't let anybody hold you back!"
Brian Redmond said: "Blu, you're beautiful, you're queer - and it's fantastic!"
Loraine Barry said Blu was "just beautiful" and as a performer, Simone had so much confidence in her that they could pull together a Broadway number as a couple. "Just fantastic!" she concluded.
Total score: 30 points for Blu and Simone.
With all the judges’ votes cast, Laura and Denys, David and Salome, and Blu and Simone all had 60 points, while Jason and Karen had 58. It was then up to the general public to decide this year’s winner.
After the lines closed, the votes were counted – and Jason and Karen were announced as the winners!
