The first name to appear on RTÉ’s Dancing With The Stars has been “confirmed” ahead of the beginning of dance rehearsals.
In October, RTÉ officially confirmed the return of Dancing With The Stars in January 2026, with a brand new Head Judge and presenter joining the show.
After the shock departure of Loraine Barry, it was revealed that former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse will step into the role of Head Judge, joining Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne on the panel.
Ahead of the launch date, which has been confirmed for January 2026, The Irish Sun has reported that singer Brian Kennedy will appear on the series.
In 2026, Brian will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his seminal album A Better Man, which was released in 1996 and went on to become triple platinum in Ireland.
The Belfast native will be celebrating the album with a number of shows across Ireland.
Pic Brian McEvoy
The last decade has seen the singer battle with a series of health problems, including rectal cancer, followed by a heart attack in 2021.
Doctors saved his life with a quadruple bypass, but he later caught Covid.
Despite his health battle, a source close to Brian told The Irish Sun: “Since Brian got the all clear, he has been back out gigging every weekend.”
“There were a couple of years where Brian wasn’t well enough to do anything, but he feels great now and wants to make up for lost time.”
“He made his acting debut this year, playing Oscar Wilde in Phil Lynott’s musical Moonlight and wants to do even more next year, that’s why he decided to sign up for Dancing With The Stars.”
An insider continued: “Brian Kennedy has gone through so much in the last few years but has come out the other side.”
“Part of the reason he wants to go on Dancing With The Stars is to show others you can make a full recovery from cancer or heart problems, and take back your life again. I’d be surprised if Brian doesn’t end up singing as well as dancing on Dancing With The Stars.”
As a judge on the first season of RTE’s The Voice of Ireland, which is produced by Screentime ShinAwil, the same company that produces Dancing With the Stars for RTE, Brian is no stranger to competition series.
