Meterologist Joanna Donnelly has been revealed as the final celebrity contestant to take part in Dancing with the Stars 2025.
With 25 years as a meteorologist under her belt, Joanna has been keeping audiences calm through the stormiest forecasts.
Now, she’s ready to twist her way into a whole new kind of front - on the dance floor!
Joanna said: “I’m ready to get my feet moving! I’ve watched the show all these years, and all I want to do is learn how to dance. I had an Irish dancing lesson back in 1979 and my mother spent a year’s savings on an Irish dancing costume, but I did one Feis and then quit. She never let me live it down! But she was a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars, so she’s definitely got my back on this.”
Her passion for weather does not stop at the green screen. Joanna is also the author of The Great Irish Weather Book, inspiring a new generation of weather enthusiasts.
The celebrity and pro-dancer pairings will be revealed on Monday, December 16.
On Friday night’s Late Late Show, broadcaster and Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley, celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, pommel horse Olympic gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan, actress Yasmin Seky and social media star Kayleigh Trappe were revealed as five of the 11 hopefuls vying for the glitterball trophy.
Earlier this week, Eurovision singer Mickey Joe Harte, Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearóid Farrelly, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede were revealed as the first five hopefuls who will be vying for the glitterball trophy in early 2025.
The glitz, glamour, and nail-biting competition will all unfold when the new season returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next month.
Dancing with the Stars will be hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy again this season. The two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and professional dancer Karen Byrne will join the judging panel in 2025 alongside longstanding judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.
The series returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Sunday, January 5 at 6.30pm.