Love/Hate actor Johnny Ward thanks his fans for their 'continuous support' as he glides through ‘Switch Up Week’ on Dancing With the Stars

The remaining celebrities on Dancing With The Stars felt the heat last night as the dance competition quite literally switched things up by assigning the celebs to new professional dance partners on Sunday night.

It was an interesting week for Fair City and Love/Hate star Johnny Ward, originally from Walkinstown in Dublin, a former alumna of Maureen V Ward Talent Agency and former acting teacher in Kill as he was paired with professional dancer Ksenia Zsikhotska, giving a lively performance with a quickstep to ‘Are You Going to Be My Girl’ by Jet.

Taking to the floor last night, Johnny looked the part in a sequined jacket and gave a lively performance with new professional dance partner Ksenia, earning a good score of 19 points from the judges.

Judge Julian Benson praised the duo for the performance, saying:“ That was a rock n'roll quickstep, I have to commend you. You deal with the steps so well, I thought you had a lovely frame. You have a massive potential and you could be a star performer.” Meanwhile, judges Brian Redmond and Lorraine Barry also praised the lively performance.

However, after the show ended, some fans expressed their beliefs that the actor has been unfairly ‘undermarked’ by the judges since the series began. Taking to social media after the live shows, Johnny thanked his fans for their ‘continuous support’ and admitted that while he was a little down about his score that he had a ‘great week’ working with Ksenia Zsikhotska and next week he will be reunited with dance partner Emily Barker.

The top position on the leader board was claimed by Cliona Hagan and dance partner Vitali Kozmin, who scored a staggering 28 points for their salsa to Taki Taki by DJ Snake (feat. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B).

Judge Julian Benson said:"That was super sexy, man-eating samba girl!" Fellow judge Brian Redmond reckoned "that was a great job all the way though," but Loraine Barry was the judge who described the dance most succinctly, stating: "O! M! G!".

With a total of 28 points - including the first ten this season, from Julian - Cliona and Vitali were the judges' favourites on the night. Meanwhile, Mairéad Ronan and Kai Widdrington finished two points behind, while Demi Isaaac Oviawe and Robert Rowinski finished last with just 13 points.

Johnny and Emily need as much support as possible to continue their journey on the show and Kildare viewers can help by voting for them when they next appear on the show "Dancing With the Stars" this coming Sunday February17 at 6.30pm one RTE One.