Jordan Dargan’s Journey from The Apprentice to Dancing with the Stars

Dublin entrepreneur Jordan Dargan, known for his appearance on BBC’s The Apprentice UK, recently concluded his participation in the ninth season of RTÉ’s Dancing with the Stars. His journey, marked by a willingness to embrace fresh challenges, captivated audiences in Ireland.

From Boardroom to Ballroom

Dargan, the founder of 3D animation company Rendify Studios, finished third on The Apprentice earlier in 2025 [1]. He then transitioned to the dance floor, joining the lineup for Dancing with the Stars in January 2026. Dargan was the first Irish-Nigerian contestant to appear on the UK version of The Apprentice.

Initially hesitant, Dargan ultimately decided to participate in Dancing with the Stars to push himself outside of his comfort zone. He stated, “I believe true growth always sits on the other side of doing the things that terrify you,” and expressed a desire to make his family and friends proud [1].

Elimination and Reflections

Despite his dedication, Dargan was eliminated in the semi-final after finding himself in the dance-off for the third time [2], [3], [4]. He competed against Tolü Makay in the final dance-off, with Makay ultimately advancing to the final alongside Katelyn Cummins, Eric Roberts and Paudie Moloney [2].

Dargan expressed his disappointment, stating he was “gutted” to not reach the final, but emphasized his commitment to the competition [2]. He highlighted the importance of authenticity and vulnerability, noting that the show required him to be more open than he had been during his time on The Apprentice [2].

“I learned that even if something isn’t perfect, if you put your heart into it and you genuinely just go out believing that you are enough… people gravitate towards that. I never once in the competition was someone I’m not,” Dargan shared after his elimination [2].