
Who Won Dancing with the Stars 2024? Winner Revealed
When the glitter settled on the Dancing with the Stars Ireland 2024 finale, one moment stood out: Paralympic legend Jason Smyth and his professional partner Karen Byrne lifting the Glitterball trophy, a win that combined elite sport with ballroom flair. This article pulls together the confirmed facts, the known unknowns, and what comes next for the champions.
Winner: Jason Smyth & Karen Byrne ·
Final date: March 17, 2024 ·
Network: RTÉ One ·
Season: Series 7
Quick snapshot
- Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne won the Glitterball trophy (RTÉ (national broadcaster))
- Final aired on RTÉ One on March 17, 2024 (Wikipedia (series summary))
- Runner-up and third‑place couples in DWTS Ireland 2024 (RTÉ (video description omits placement order))
- Which pro dancer is currently pregnant on DWTS (Wikipedia (no current‑season pregnancy info))
- March 17, 2024 — finale and winner announcement (Wikipedia (date confirmed))
- Karen Byrne and Jake Carter wedding plans (Wikipedia (engagement public))
- Jason Smyth likely returns to Paralympic training (BBC Sport (athletics career))
Key facts at a glance
Five details that define the 2024 Irish finale, one contrast: a Paralympic sprinter and a seasoned pro dancer sharing the same spotlight.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Winner | Jason Smyth (Paralympic athlete) & Karen Byrne (professional dancer) |
| Show | Dancing with the Stars Ireland Series 7 |
| Final date | March 17, 2024 |
| Network | RTÉ One |
| Professional dancer | Karen Byrne |
Who won in Dancing with the Stars 2024?
Jason Smyth and his professional partner Karen Byrne were crowned champions of Dancing with the Stars Ireland 2024 on March 17, 2024. The final, broadcast live on RTÉ One (Ireland’s public-service broadcaster), saw the pair lift the Glitterball trophy after weeks of competition. Smyth, a visually impaired sprinter who has won gold medals at the Paralympic Games, brought athleticism and determination to the ballroom floor. Byrne, a seasoned Latin and ballroom dancer, choreographed routines that highlighted his strengths.
“Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne are crowned champions of Dancing with the Stars.”— RTÉ (national broadcaster official video)
Who is Jason Smyth?
- Jason Smyth is a Northern Irish Paralympic athlete who competes in sprint events. He has won multiple gold medals at the Paralympic Games and World Championships. His visual impairment qualifies him for the T13 classification (BBC Sport (athletics profile)).
- Before DWTS, Smyth was known primarily for his speed rather than his dance moves. His participation marked a notable crossover from sport to entertainment (Vision Sports Ireland (disability sports coverage)).
Who is Karen Byrne?
- Karen Byrne is a professional Latin and ballroom dancer from Ireland. She has represented Ireland in international competitions and has been a regular pro on Dancing with the Stars Ireland since its launch (Wikipedia (dancer biography)).
- Her partnership with Smyth was praised for its synergy—combining his natural athleticism with her technical choreography.
A Paralympic champion winning a mainstream dance competition challenges perceptions about disability. Smyth’s victory on a widely watched show like DWTS brings visibility to Paralympic athletes beyond the track, potentially inspiring a new audience.
Who got the second place in Dancing with the Stars?
The identity of the runner-up couple in the 2024 Irish final is not explicitly listed in the official RTÉ video or the series summary. The main broadcast announcement focused on the winners, and the available sources do not specify which couple finished second.
What was the runner-up couple’s score?
- Without a clear statement from RTÉ or a reliable secondary source, the runner‑up placement and scores remain unconfirmed. Readers seeking this detail may need to consult the full episode recap on RTÉ Entertainment (official entertainment page).
The omission leaves a gap in the public record that may be filled when RTÉ publishes a full recap.
Who got the third place in Dancing with the Stars?
Similarly, the third‑place couple is not identified in the verified facts. The winner announcement did not include a full leaderboard, and no official press release has detailed the final ranking beyond the champions.
Which couple finished third in DWTS Ireland 2024?
- This is one of the gaps in the public record. Until RTÉ publishes a full list or an authoritative recap surfaces, the third‑place finishers remain among the “what’s unclear” items for this season.
The missing placement details highlight how even major broadcasts can leave some final results unofficial.
What did Karen Byrne do for a living?
Karen Byrne is a full‑time professional dancer. Her career includes competing internationally for Ireland in Latin and ballroom categories, teaching at dance academies, and performing in televised dance competitions.
How did Karen Byrne become a dancer?
- Byrne started dancing at a young age and progressed through the competitive circuit. She has won several Irish titles and represented Ireland at the World Latin Dance Championships (Irish Dance Academy (affiliated school background)).
What other achievements does Karen Byrne have?
- Beyond DWTS, Byrne has appeared in stage shows and has been a choreographer for events. Her partnership with Jason Smyth earned her widespread recognition, but her career extends to coaching and judging.
“Karen is one of Ireland’s most accomplished Latin dancers, with a career that spans competition, television, and teaching.”— Vision Sports Ireland (disability‑sport outlet covering her win)
Byrne’s career demonstrates that her DWTS win is part of a larger professional dance trajectory.
Who is Karen Byrne engaged to?
Karen Byrne is engaged to Jake Carter, a singer and the younger brother of Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter.
When did Karen Byrne get engaged?
- The couple announced their engagement in early 2024, before the DWTS finale. Byrne shared the news on social media, and it was widely reported by Irish entertainment outlets.
Who is Jake Carter?
- Jake Carter is a singer and performer who has released music in Ireland and the UK. He is the son of Bob Carter and brother of Nick Carter. His musical style blends pop and country (Wikipedia (Jake Carter biography)).
- The couple’s engagement adds a personal chapter to the DWTS narrative, linking the show’s pro dancer to a music‑industry family.
Celebrity engagements can overshadow professional achievements. For Byrne, the public interest in her personal life runs alongside her genuine dance career — a balance many entertainment‑industry professionals navigate.
Timeline of the 2024 finale
One key date anchors the entire outcome: St Patrick’s Day 2024.
- March 17, 2024: Dancing with the Stars Ireland Series 7 finale airs on RTÉ One. Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne are announced as winners.
The show’s schedule followed the usual Sunday‑night slot, with the finale coinciding with Ireland’s national holiday — a programming choice that maximised viewership.
The St Patrick’s Day scheduling underscored the show’s cultural significance.
What we know — and what’s still open
This section separates the facts from the gaps, based on the available official sources.
Confirmed facts
- Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne won the Glitterball trophy on March 17, 2024. (RTÉ (national broadcaster))
- The final aired on RTÉ One. (Wikipedia (series summary))
- Karen Byrne is a professional dancer. (Wikipedia (dancer biography))
- Karen Byrne is engaged to Jake Carter. (Wikipedia (Jake Carter biography))
What’s unclear
- The runner‑up and third‑place couples in the 2024 Irish final.
- Which professional dancer is currently pregnant on Dancing with the Stars (2024 season).
- Specific details of JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson’s placement in earlier US seasons.
- Whether Jason Smyth will return for a professional dance tour or return to Paralympic training.
For a broader look at the franchise, see our coverage of the US version: Dancing with the Stars – Season 33 Complete Cast and Winners.
Quotes from the winners and organisers
“Jason and Karen are the 2024 Dancing with the Stars Champions.”— Vision Sports Ireland (disability‑sport news outlet)
“It’s an incredible feeling to win. We’ve worked so hard.”— RTÉ (post‑win interview clip)
“The support from the Irish public has been amazing.”— Independent.ie (Irish newspaper coverage)
Bottom line: Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne are the legitimate champions of Dancing with the Stars Ireland 2024, validated by the national broadcaster and a disability‑sport organisation. For fans looking for the runner‑up or third‑place details: those facts remain unpublicised. For those curious about the people behind the trophy, Smyth’s Paralympic background and Byrne’s engagement to singer Jake Carter round out the story.
Fans of the Irish edition will recall that Dancing with the Stars Ireland 2024 winner—Paralympic champion Jason Smyth—made history with his victory in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is Jason Smyth’s background?
Jason Smyth is a Northern Irish Paralympic sprinter who has won multiple gold medals in the T13 classification. He is visually impaired and began his athletic career at a young age, later transitioning to ballroom for DWTS.
How can I watch the DWTS Ireland 2024 finale?
The finale aired on RTÉ One on March 17, 2024. It is available on the RTÉ Player (streaming service) for viewers in Ireland.
Who were the judges on DWTS Ireland 2024?
The panel for Series 7 included Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry, and Arthur Gourounlian. The head judge was Brian Redmond.
Is there a US version winner for 2024?
The US Dancing with the Stars season 33 had not yet aired its finale at the time of writing. The 2024 Irish winner is separate from the US franchise. For more on the US show, check out Dancing with the Stars – Season 33 Complete Cast and Winners.
What is the difference between DWTS Ireland and DWTS US?
Both follow the same format but the Irish version is produced by RTÉ and features local celebrities. The US version has a larger budget and more famous contestants.
How are votes counted on DWTS Ireland?
Viewers vote by phone or online during the live broadcast. Judges’ scores are combined with public votes to determine the bottom two couples, then sole public vote decides elimination.
For fans of Irish television and Paralympic sport, the 2024 result is clear: Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne earned the Glitterball through a combination of athleticism, artistry, and public support. For anyone still wondering about the runner‑up and third‑place couples, the official record remains silent — and that gap is a reminder that not all final‑night details are made public. The question now: will Smyth return for a professional dance tour, or head back to the track? Either way, his victory has already expanded the story of who can win a popular prime‑time competition.