Co Down gymnast Rhys McClenaghan posted the highest score of the night as the new series of Dancing with the Stars got under way on Sunday. The Olympic champion is one of the 11 contestants on this year's bumper show.

Also taking to the floor are Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley, celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, actress Yasmin Seky, social media star Kayleigh Trappe, meteorologist Joanna Donnelly, Eurovision singer Mickey Joe Harte, Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearóid Farrelly, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll, former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede.

McClenaghan and his pro partner Laura Nolan were the final pair to dance on Sunday evening and the Co Down native had another golden moment dancing a gravity defying salsa to Head and Heart by Joel Corry featuring MNEK. They closed the show with a whopping 31 to top the leaderboard, reports the Irish Mirror.

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Judge Brian Redmond said: "Everyone loves a trip to Funderland this time of the year, and that is exactly what it was for me."

Karen Byrne said: "What a way to finish the show tonight." Loraine Barry added: "It was the perfect dance for you to show your skills. It was spot on."

And viewers loved what they saw from the 25-year-old. One wrote: "Rhys McClenaghan unbelievable."

Another commented: "Well done Rhys, definitely saved the best for last."

Someone else wrote: "What a performance and what a way to close the show."

"Right, well Rhys McClenaghan has it in the bag," read another post.

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Paddy Power have installed McClenaghan as the 13/5 favourite to win the competition outright, while fellow Olympian Jack Woolley is joint-second favourite at 7/2 alongside social media personality Kayleigh Trappe.

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