Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series)
Celebrities and dancers compete in a weekly dance-off.
Dancing with the Stars is an Australian light entertainment reality show that pairs celebrities with professional ballroom dancers in a weekly dance-off. Based on the British BBC series Strictly Come Dancing, it originally aired on the Seven Network from 2004 to 2015 and later on Network 10 from 2019 to 2020, before returning to the Seven Network from 2021. The show is part of BBC Worldwide's international Dancing with the Stars franchise.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Reality competition
- Based on
- Strictly Come Dancing
- Fenia Vardanis
- Richard Hopkins
- Karen Smith
- Creative director
- Kelley Abbey
- Voices
- Andrew Peters; Damian Nicholas
- Composer
- Dorian West, Neil Sutherland and others
- Country
- Australia
- Language
- English
- Seasons
- 18
Facts from the source article.
History
The show debuted in a short run from October to November 2004, then returned the following February. It was a ratings success, averaging around 2 million viewers a week nationally during its peak, placing the series at number 1 of the entire day. The logo for the first seven series resembled that of Strictly Come Dancing; from the eighth series onward, it resembled the American version. In October 2016, the Seven Network cancelled the program after 15 seasons, despite previously suggesting a sixteenth season for 2017.
In September 2018, Network 10 announced a revival hosted by Grant Denyer and Amanda Keller, premiering on 18 February 2019. A seventeenth season premiered on 9 February 2020, but Network 10 cancelled the revival in October 2020. In December 2020, Seven regained the rights and produced an All-Stars edition in 2021, pre-recorded with studio audience voting. Filmed at the ICC in Sydney in March 2021, it premiered on 11 April 2021.
A 20th season premiered on 18 June 2023, featuring all first-time contestants. In October 2023, a 21st season was announced, with Daryl Somers replaced by Chris Brown and Sonia Kruger returning to co-host.
Cast
From seasons 1 to 7 and seasons 18 to 20, Daryl Somers and Sonia Kruger were the primary hosts. For season 8, Somers was replaced by Daniel MacPherson, and Kruger continued until season 12, when she left for the Nine network. Melanie Brown replaced Kruger from season 12, followed by Edwina Bartholomew in 2013. In 2015, Shane Bourne replaced MacPherson.
For the 2019 revival, Grant Denyer and Amanda Keller co-hosted. The original judging panel from seasons 1 to 7 consisted of Todd McKenney, Helen Richey, Paul Mercurio and Mark Wilson. At season 8, Mercurio left; before season 11, Wilson was fired and replaced by Joshua Horner. Kym Johnson and Adam Garcia joined in 2013.
In 2015, Bruno Tonioli replaced Garcia for three weeks. For season 16, the panel was Craig Revel Horwood, Sharna Burgess and Tristan MacManus. For seasons 18 and 19, the original panel returned. For season 20, McKenney and Mercurio departed, while Burgess and Revel Horwood returned.
Champion of Champions
In late 2005, series two winner Tom Williams and series three winner Ada Nicodemou competed for the Champion of Champions title. Series one winner Bec Hewitt did not participate due to pregnancy. Ada Nicodemou and her partner Aric Yegudkin won, defeating Tom Williams and his partner Kym Johnson based on judges' scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series) are there?
Dancing with the Stars has 164 episodes across 18 seasons.
When did Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series) first air?
Dancing with the Stars first aired on 5 October 2004.
More in Australian Television Series Based on British Television Series
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