Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series)

Dancing with the Stars is an Australian light entertainment reality show which originally aired on the Seven Network from 2004 to 2015 and on Network 10 from 2019 to 2020. When it was on the Seven Network, it was broadcast live from the HSV-7 studios (now Global Television studios) in Melbourne; on Network 10 it aired live from Fox Studios Australia (now Disney Studios Australia) in Sydney and Docklands Studios in Melbourne.

Dancing with the Stars
Created byBBC
Based onStrictly Come Dancing
Creative directorKelley Abbey
Presented by
Judges
Voices ofAndrew Peters
ComposersDorian West, Neil Sutherland and others
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons18
No. of episodes164
Production
Production locationsGlobal Television Studios, South Melbourne, Victoria (2004–15)
Disney Studios Australia, Sydney, New South Wales (2019)
Docklands Studios Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria (2020–present)
Running time90–150 minutes
(including commercials)
Production companies Produced under licence from BBC Studios (known as BBC Worldwide during 2004-2015)
Original release
NetworkSeven Network
Release5 October 2004 (2004-10-05) –
7 September 2015 (2015-09-07)
NetworkNetwork 10
Release18 February 2019 (2019-02-18) –
29 March 2020 (2020-03-29)
NetworkSeven Network
Release11 April 2021 (2021-04-11) –
present

The show is based on the British BBC Television series Strictly Come Dancing and is part of BBC Worldwide's international Dancing with the Stars franchise.

The show pairs celebrities with professional ballroom dancers who each week compete against each other in a dance-off to impress a panel of judges and ultimately the viewing public in order to survive potential elimination. Through telephone and SMS voting, viewers vote for the duo they think should remain in the competition. Judges' scores are combined with the viewer votes when determining which duo is eliminated.

History

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2004–2015: Seven's original iteration

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The show debuted in a short run from October to November 2004, then returned the following February.

The show was a ratings success averaging around 2 million viewers a week nationally during its peak which places the series at number 1 of the entire day.[1]

The logo used for the first seven series of Dancing with the Stars is similar to the logo used by Strictly Come Dancing. The logo used for the eighth series and beyond is similar to that used by the US version of Dancing with the Stars.[citation needed]

The program ended after 15 seasons when the Seven Network announced in October 2016 it would not renew the program,[2] despite previously suggesting a sixteenth season would air in 2017.[3][4]

2019–2020: 10's iteration

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In September 2018, Network 10 announced the series would be revived and hosted by television presenters and former contestants Grant Denyer and Amanda Keller.[5] The revival premiered on 18 February 2019.[6] In October 2019, the series was renewed for a seventeenth season, which premiered on 9 February 2020.[7]

In October 2020, Network 10 announced the revived series would not return in 2021.[8]

2021–present: Seven's second iteration

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In December 2020, Seven announced they have re-gained the rights to the series, and will be bringing the show back with an All-Stars edition in 2021.[9][10] The series was filmed at the ICC in Sydney during March 2021. The season premiered on 11 April 2021.[11] In March 2023, the series was renewed for a 20th season which premiered on 18 June 2023, the season all-stars and featured all first time contestants.[12] In October 2023, the series was renewed for a 21st season, it was also announced that Daryl Somers will be stepping back from hosting the show, and he will be replaced by Dr. Chris Brown, with Kruger returning to her hosting position to co-host alongside Brown.[13][14]

Cast

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Hosts

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From seasons 1 to 7 and since season 18, entertainment legend Daryl Somers and dancer/actress/television presenter Sonia Kruger have been the two primary hosts. For season 8, Somers was replaced by actor Daniel MacPherson, when Somers returned to the Nine network to host the rebooted Hey Hey, It's Saturday. Kruger continued to co-host with MacPherson, until the start of season 12, when she also defected to the Nine network. Kruger was subsequently replaced by former Spice Girl Melanie Brown, who is a former contestant in the American version of the show, in season 5. In 2013, Brown was replaced by Sunrise weather presenter Edwina Bartholomew. In 2015, Shane Bourne replaced Daniel MacPherson as co-host.[15]

It was announced in September 2018 that in 2019, a 16th season would begin. A whole new cast and crew will be involved in a new production with a 'fresh look' with Grant Denyer and Amanda Keller co-hosting.[16]

Host Season
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Sonia Kruger
Daryl Somers
Daniel MacPherson
Mel B
Edwina Bartholomew
Shane Bourne
Grant Denyer
Amanda Keller
Dr. Chris Brown

Judges

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From seasons 1 to 7, the judging panel consisted of four primary judges: Todd McKenney, Helen Richey, Paul Mercurio and Mark Wilson. At the start of season 8, Mercurio left the judging panel. Before the eleventh season began, Wilson was dumped by the Seven network and replaced by Joshua Horner.[17] McKenney, Richey and Horner have made up the primary judging panel since 2011. Kym Johnson who comes from the American version of the show, and Adam Garcia join the judging panel in 2013. In 2015, Bruno Tonioli, who comes from both British and American versions, replaced Garcia as a judge for the first three weeks before leaving just three judges for the rest of the season.

Ian "Dicko" Dickson and Bruno Tonioli have also appeared as guest judges throughout the series, providing feedback and scores as part of their judging role. Pamela Anderson, Damian Whitewood, Olivia Newton-John and Dame Edna Everage have also appeared as guest judges on the Seven Network series, but providing comments and feedback only.

For season 16, the judging panel consisted of three primary judges: Craig Revel Horwood, Sharna Burgess and Tristan MacManus.

For seasons 18 and 19, the original panel of Todd McKenney, Helen Richey, Paul Mercurio and Mark Wilson returned.

For season 20, Richey and Mercurio departed, while Burgess and Revel Horwood returned to the series.[18]

Judge Season
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Todd McKenney
Helen Richey
Mark Wilson
Paul Mercurio
Joshua Horner
Kym Johnson
Adam Garcia
Craig Revel Horwood
Sharna Burgess
Tristan MacManus

Professional partners

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Color key:

  Winner
  Runner-up
  Third place
  Celebrity partner withdrew from the competition
  Celebrity partner participating in the competition

Series overview

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Season No. of
stars
Duration dates Celebrity honour places
Premiere Finale Winner Second place Third place
1 8 5 October 2004 23 November 2004 Bec Hewitt & Michael Miziner Pauline Hanson & Salvatore Vecchio Justin Melvey & Kym Johnson
2 10 8 February 2005 26 April 2005 Tom Williams & Kym Johnson Ian Roberts & Natalie Lowe Holly Brisley & Mark Hodge
3 6 September 2005 8 November 2005 Ada Nicodemou & Aric Yegudkin Chris Bath & Trenton Shipley Ian "Dicko" Dickson & Leanne Bampton
4 21 February 2006 9 May 2006 Grant Denyer & Amanda Garner Kostya Tszyu & Luda Kroitor Toby Allen & Leanne Bampton
5 3 October 2006 28 November 2006 Anthony Koutoufides & Natalie Lowe Arianne Caoili & Carmello Pizzino Tamsyn Lewis & Arsen Kishishian
6 20 February 2007 1 May 2007 Kate Ceberano & John-Paul Collins Fifi Box & Paul Green Tim Campbell & Natalie Lowe
7 25 September 2007 27 November 2007 Bridie Carter & Craig Monley Anh Do & Luda Kroitor David Hobson & Karina Schembri
8 31 August 2008 9 November 2008 Luke Jacobz & Luda Kroitor Danny Green & Natalie Lowe Paul Licuria & Eliza Campagna
9 11 5 July 2009 6 September 2009 Adam Brand & Jade Hatcher Matt White & Ash-Leigh Hunter Kylie Gillies & Carmello Pizzino
10 27 June 2010 29 August 2010 Rob Palmer & Alana Patience Tamara Jaber & Carmello Pizzino Alex Fevola & Arsen Kishishian
11 8 May 2011 10 July 2011 Manu Feildel & Alana Patience Haley Bracken & Aric Yegudkin Damien Leith & Melanie Hooper
12 15 April 2012 17 June 2012 Johnny Ruffo & Luda Kroitor Danielle Spencer & Damian Whitewood Zoe Cramond & Aric Yegudkin
13 12 1 October 2013 26 November 2013 Cosentino & Jessica Raffa Rhiannon Fish & Aric Yegudkin Tina Arena & Damian Whitewood
14 11 30 September 2014 25 November 2014 David Rodan & Melanie Hooper Lynne McGranger & Carmello Pizzino Ricki-Lee Coulter & Jarryd Byrne
15 19 July 2015 7 September 2015 Emma Freedman & Aric Yegudkin Matthew Mitcham & Masha Belash Ash Pollard & Jarryd Byrne
16 18 February 2019 22 April 2019 Samuel Johnson & Jorja Freeman Courtney Act & Joshua Keefe Constance Hall & Gustavo Viglio
17 10 9 February 2020 29 March 2020 Celia Pacquola & Jarryd Byrne Christian Wilkins & Lily Cornish Claudia Karvan & Aric Yegudkin
18 14 11 April 2021 25 April 2021 Luke Jacobz & Jorja Freeman Bec Hewitt & Craig Monley Ada Nicodemou & Aric Yegudkin
Kyly Clarke & Gustavo Viglio
Lincoln Lewis & Lily Cornish
Manu Feildel & Katrina Patchett
19 20 February 2022 3 April 2022 Grant Denyer & Lily Cornish Courtney Act & Joshua Keefe David Rodan & Alexandra Vladimirov
Deni Hines & Lyu Masuda
Kris Smith & Siobhan Power
Ricki-Lee Coulter & Jarryd Byrne
20 18 June 2023 23 July 2023 Phil Burton & Ash-Leigh Hunter Emily Weir & Lyu Masuda Christie Whelan Browne & Craig Monley
Mary Coustas & Aric Yegudkin
Paulini & Igor Ifliand
Virginia Gay & Ian Waite
21 12 7 July 2024 12 August 2024 Lisa McCune & Ian Waite Samantha Jade & Gustavo Viglio Ant Middleton & Alexandra Vladimirov

Champion of Champions

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In late 2005, the winners of series two (Tom Williams) and three (Ada Nicodemou) competed against each other for the title of Champion of Champions. Series one winner Bec Hewitt did not compete, as she was pregnant at the time. Ada Nicodemou and her partner Aric Yegudkin won the championship, defeating Tom Williams and his partner, Kym Johnson, based on the judges' scores.

Scoring chart

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Red numbers indicate the couples with the lowest score for each week.
Green numbers indicate the couples with the highest score for each week.
  indicates the winning couple.
  indicates the runner-up couple.
Couple Place 1 2 1+2
Ada & Aric 1 31+31+31=93 29+33+38=100 193
Tom & Kym 2 25+33+33=91 26+31+40=97 188

Running Order

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Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Todd McKenney, Helen Richey, Paul Mercurio, Mark Wilson.

Week 1

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Running order
Couple Score Style Music
Ada & Aric 31 (7, 8, 8, 8) Cha-Cha-Cha "Get The Party Started" – Pink
31 (8, 8, 8, 7) Samba "Bamboléo"—Gipsy Kings
31 (9, 8, 8, 6) Period Jive "In the Mood"—Glenn Miller
Tom & Kym 25 (6, 7, 6, 6) Cha-Cha-Cha "Get The Party Started"—Pink
33 (9, 8, 8, 8) Quickstep "That's Dancing"—Henry Mancini
33 (7, 9, 8, 9) Period Jive "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"—The Andrews Sisters

Week 2

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Running order
Couple Score Style Music
Ada & Aric 29 (7, 7, 8, 7) Foxtrot "On the Sunny Side of the Street" – Steve Tyrell
33 (9, 8, 8, 8) Ballroom Segue "Big Spender" – Shirley Bassey
"Money, Money, Money" – ABBA
"I Have Nothing"—Whitney Houston
38 (10, 9, 10, 9) Freestyle "Chopper Chase from The Italian Job"—John Powell
Tom & Kym 26 (6, 7, 7, 6) Foxtrot "On the Sunny Side of the Street" – Steve Tyrell
31 (7, 8, 8, 8) Latin Segue "España cañí"—Pascual Marquina Narro
"Harlem Nocturne"—Earle Hagen
"Proud Mary"—John Fogerty
40 (10, 10, 10, 10) Freestyle "History Repeating"—The Propellerheads feat. Shirley Bassey
"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"—The Rolling Stones

Ratings

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Season Market
Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth 5-Cities
1 624,250 543,625 320,375 183,250 223,125 1,894,625
2 590,500 590,100 315,700 191,200 219,500 1,907,000
3 610,900 633,500 327,700 205,300 234,800 2,011,800
4 685,600 647,900 430,700 218,200 251,800 2,234,100
5 549,800 517,700 277,200 182,200 207,000 1,733,900
6 576,400 569,900 314,700 189,500 209,200 1,859,600
7 555,300 543,700 294,700 174,200 219,400 1,786,800
8 399,400 402,100 193,200 109,500 171,000 1,275,300
9 424,300 397,900 311,100 144,900 169,700 1,447,700

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Free TV Ratings Report – Survey 10, 2006" (PDF). Free TV Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 15 November 2008.
  2. ^ Knox, David (24 October 2016). "Axed: Dancing with the Stars". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  3. ^ Fenton, Andrew (17 August 2016). "Channel Seven delays return of Dancing with the Stars by up to a year". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  4. ^ Knox, David (8 July 2016). "Dancing with the Stars now "unlikely" for 2016". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  5. ^ "Grant Denyer, Amanda Keller for TEN's Dancing with the Stars". TV Tonight. 7 September 2018.
  6. ^ Whitehead, Mat (8 September 2018). "Dancing With The Stars Returning To Aussie Screens In 2019". 10 daily. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  7. ^ Whitehead, Mat (14 January 2020). "'Dancing With The Stars' 2020: Meet The Celebs Shimmying Their Way Into The Spotlight". 10 daily. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  8. ^ Mastroianni, Bianca (15 October 2020). "Dancing with the Stars cancelled by Channel 10". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020.
  9. ^ Knox, David (20 December 2020). "Seven confirms Dancing with the Star revival". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  10. ^ McKnight, Robert (20 December 2020). "Dancing with the Stars will not be live on Channel 7". tvblackbox. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  11. ^ Knox, David (1 April 2021). "Airdate: Dancing with the Stars All Stars". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  12. ^ Knox, David (10 March 2023). "Seven returns to Dancing with the Stars". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Daryl Somers announces new host of Dancing with the Stars". 7NEWS. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Chris will become Sonia's new co-host on Dancing with the Stars in 2024!". New Idea. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  15. ^ Knox, David (8 June 2015). "Shane Bourne next host for Dancing with the Stars". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  16. ^ "Dancing with the Stars Returns". Ten Eyewitness News. 9 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  17. ^ Seven dumps Dancing with the Stars judge MediaSpy 9 April 2011
  18. ^ Byrne, Fiona. "Herald Sun".
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