MAURA HIGGINS SCORES 35 POINTS FOR IRISH TRIBUTE DANCE

Maura Higgins and professional dance partner Mark Ballas scored 35 out of 40 for a paso doble on the US version of Dancing With The Stars. They performed on the programme’s Dedication Night, with Higgins using the routine to honour her Irish roots. The pair danced to Dropkick Murphys’ I’m Shipping Up to Boston. The audience gave the performance a standing ovation. Lucky Howard, a performer in Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, joined them for an Irish dancing segment.

Judge Carrie Ann awarded Higgins an eight and praised her energy and “attack”. Derek Hough gave the pair a nine, saying he “loved every minute of the dance”. Bruno Tonioli and Johnson each awarded nine points. The judges’ marks gave Higgins and Ballas their 35-point total. Bruno Tonioli and Johnson also praised the pair’s choreography.

Higgins returned to the programme after a painful neck injury. Before the performance, she posted a tribute to Ireland on Instagram and described what celebrating her home country meant to her. Friends of Higgins have expressed concern that she is “pushing herself to breaking point” during her time in the US. Higgins remains in the competition for its glitter ball trophy.