GOLD medallist Rhys McClenaghan has been crowned the winner of Dancing With The Stars. Last summer, the 25-year-old scooped Ireland’s first Olympic medal in gymnastics — but tonight he added the Glitterball to his trophy cabinet after -triumphing with pro partner Laura Nolan. The Co Down man has spent the past 11 weeks vying for the top of the RTE show’s leaderboard with rival Olympian Jack Woolley. But tonight the result was fully in the hands of the public, with the Co Down man delighted to have been revealed as the winner. Speaking after the show, Rhys told The Irish Sun: “To be named Dancing With The Stars champions 2025 is just amazing. “Myself and Laura had a quick chat even before the results were called out and we just said, we could both be so proud of ourselves. We will be happy no matter what happens — but the win was the cherry on the top.” Ecstatic pro Laura, 30, added: “After we finished our showdance we felt incredible. “We felt we had given everything we possibly could, so to hear our names read out was unbelievable. I feel top of the world honestly.” Asked if he had commiserated with rival Jack, who he had been neck and neck with throughout the show, Rhys said: “Just like all the contestants, I said they were incredible throughout the show. “It was so admirable everybody stepping outside their normal career path and doing something completely new. “I feel like we all had that mutual respect because of that so I said congratulations to all the -contestants that were involved.” Some punters had complained the judges had favoured Rhys to win throughout the final and this would affect the public vote. However Rhys told us: “I don’t know what the public were paying attention to. Hopefully it (the win) was them enjoying the dances. “I feel that has to be the first priority when someone is voting for you, that they like watching you perform and I hope that’s the case.” The athlete revealed he would be back to gymnastics full-time now the show is over — after keeping up the training part-time throughout the 11 weeks of the TV show. Rhys said: “My days now will be gymnastics instead of dance and gymnastics, so I look forward to that but I will really miss dancing. “Tonight I got a similar feeling to how I compete in gymnastics, and I never thought anything would ever come close to that. “That showdance tonight was an incredible experience I’ll never forget. It’s hard to put dance moves into gymnastics but I have learned the enjoyment of performing.” EMOTIONAL NIGHT It was an emotional night as rival Jack had recalled how he wanted to win the Glitterball because he lost out on a medal at the Paris Olympics last summer. Choking back tears, Jack had told viewers after his last dance: “I have been consistently strong in this competition. I didn’t want to mess it up by panicking on the last dance. I missed out on a medal by one point at the Olympics.” Among the night’s highlights was host Jennifer Zamparelli having to apologise to viewers for bad language — that of emotional judge Karen Byrne after she hailed Rhys’ final 40 out of 40 showdance as “fecking beautiful”. The grand finals of Dancing With The Stars started with each of the four finalists asked by the judges to revisit their most celebrated dance of the season. BACK PROBLEM Battling a bad back all week, Mrs Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll danced the Charleston with partner Salome Chachua which proved a hit back in week two. And it was a win again tonight, scoring 39 points. Judge Loraine Barry said: “I enjoyed it the first time round but tonight you’re more chilled and relaxed. I feel the trust between you and Salome has built up.” In matching green outfits, Jack and partner Alex Vladimirov caught the mood of the nation on St Patrick’s weekend by dancing their American Smooth to ballad Grace by The Wolfe Tones, scoring a maximum 40 points. 'WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY' Judge Arthur Gourounlian said: “This wasn’t just a great dance, this will go down in DWTS history as the best ever! Normally I would say J’adore, but for the weekend that’s in it I will say: is grá liom!” Social media star Kayleigh Trappe and her partner Ervinas Merfeldas scored 38 points for a repeated routine from Love Week, a salsa to Christina Aguilera’s Let There Be Love. Judge Brian Redmond said: “Tonight is the final, it’s all or nothing and you have been giving it your all. You deserve your place in the final.” Winner Rhys reprised his Movie Week role of Spider-Man, as he and pro Laura danced the Charleston to the iconic theme tune. 'MESMERISING WINNER' And Arthur told him: “Your power is mesmerising. From gymnast to dancer, to me you have movement and rhythm in your DNA!” Rhys and Laura scored the maximum 40 points from the judges. All couples then performed a showdance, a routine that allowed them to showcase what they’ve picked up during the show. Danny and Salome bagged 37 off the judges. Jack and Alex got a -perfect 40, with Brian declaring: “You will be remembered forever on this show.” Kayleigh and Ervinas picked up 38, before Rhys and Laura got a perfect score. Arthur said it was “flawless”, telling Rhys: “It’s been an honour watching you week after week, your passion and undeniable talent.”