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. It returned to the Seven Network from 2021 onwards.
In its original version 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.
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 audience in order to survive weekly elimination.
History 2004–2015: Seven's original iteration 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.
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 American version of Dancing with the Stars.
In October 2016, it was announced the program had been cancelled after 15 seasons by the Seven Network, despite previously suggesting a sixteenth season would air in 2017.
2019–2020: 10's iteration In September 2018, Network 10 announced the series would be revived and hosted by television presenters and former contestants Grant Denyer and Amanda Keller. The revival premiered on 18 February 2019. In October 2019, the series was renewed for a seventeenth season, which premiered on 9 February 2020.
In October 2020, Network 10 announced the revived series was cancelled.
2021–present: Seven's second iteration In December 2020, Seven announced they had re-gained the rights to the series, and would produce a second revival series with an All-Stars edition in 2021. Unlike previous iterations, these seasons were pre-recorded, with voting from the studio audience replacing the televoting used in previous iterations.
The series was filmed at the ICC in Sydney during March 2021. The season premiered on 11 April 2021. 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. In October 2023, the series was renewed for a 21st season, it was also announced that Daryl Somers would be leaving the show, and he was replaced by veterinarian Chris Brown, with Kruger returning to her hosting position to co-host alongside Brown.
Cast Hosts From seasons 1 to 7 and season 18 to 20, entertainer Daryl Somers and dancer/actress/television presenter Sonia Kruger were the two primary hosts. For season 8, Somers was replaced by actor Daniel MacPherson, when Somers returned to the Nine network to host the revived Hey Hey It's Saturday. Kruger continued to co-host with MacPherson, until the start of season 12, when she also went 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.
It was announced in September 2018 that in 2019, a 16th season would begin. A whole new cast and crew would be involved in a new production with a "fresh look" with Grant Denyer and Amanda Keller co-hosting.
Host Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Sonia Kruger ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Daryl Somers ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Daniel MacPherson ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Mel B ● Edwina Bartholomew ● ● ● Shane Bourne ● Grant Denyer ● ● Amanda Keller ● ● Chris Brown ● ●
Judges 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 fired by the Seven network and replaced by Joshua Horner.Seven dumps Dancing with the Stars judge MediaSpy 9 April 2011 McKenney, Richey and Horner made up the primary judging panel starting in 2011. Kym Johnson, former pro dancer on both the American and Australian versions of the show, and Adam Garcia join the judging panel in 2013. In 2015, Bruno Tonioli, who judged on 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, McKenney and Mercurio departed, while Burgess and Revel Horwood returned to the series. Judge Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Todd McKenney ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Helen Richey ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Mark Wilson ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Paul Mercurio ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Joshua Horner ● ● Kym Johnson ● ● ● Adam Garcia ● ● Craig Revel Horwood ● ● ● ● ● Sharna Burgess ● ● ● ● ● Tristan MacManus ● ●
Professional partners Color key:
Winner Runner-up Third place Fourth place Fifth place Celebrity partner withdrew from the competition Celebrity partner participating in the competition
Professional dancer Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Ana Andre Red Symons Sriani Argaet Rob MillsOsher Günsberg Leanne Bampton Ian "Dicko" Dickson Toby Allen Masha Belash Ky Hurst Nathan Bracken Matt CooperMatthew Mitcham Serghei Bolgarschii Jennifer Hawkins Fiona FalkinerJessica Rowe Melinda Schneider Olya Bourtasova James Courtney Alexander Bryan Kate Langbroek Dianne Buswell Jude Bolton Jarryd Byrne Jesinta CampbellRicki-Lee CoulterAsh PollardOlympia ValanceCelia PacquolaRenee BarghRicki-Lee Coulter Henry Byalikov Toni Pearen Julian Caillon Angie KentErin McNaughtAngie Kent Eliza CampagnaLuke Ricketson Gary Sweet David Graham Michael Klim Paul Licuria Jason Stevens Sandro Catalano Patti Newton John Paul CollinsAlicia Molik Kate Ceberano Brooke Hanson Lily CornishJett KennyChristian WilkinsLincoln LewisGrant DenyerIssa SchultzHayden QuinnKyle Shilling Marco De Angelis Cassandra Thorburn Gordon Derbogosijan Simone Callahan Alarna Donovan Rob Mills Jonathan Doone Suzie Wilks Sasha Farber Nikki Webster Jorja Freeman Tai Hara Samuel JohnsonEd KavaleeLuke Jacobz James Stewart Amanda GarnerGrant Denyer Jamie Durie Jeremy Garner Denise Scott Fifi Box Ruby Gherbaz Matty JohnsonSam Mac Charlie Albone Gordon Gilkes Dawn Fraser Andrey GorbunovJulie GoodwinKarina Carvalho Dannial Gosper Layne BeachleyJo Beth Taylor Libby Trickett Steven Grace Naomi Robson Paul Green Fifi Box Jade Hatcher James TobinAdam Brand Mark Occhilupo Zac Stenmark Mark HodgeGabrielle Richens Holly Brisley Jan Stephenson Melanie HooperDamien LeithBrian MannixTony BarberDavid Rodan Brendan Humphreys Tatiana Grigorieva Ash-Leigh Hunter Matt White Steve Hooker Eamon SullivanMat RogersPhil BurtonShane CrawfordShaun Micallef Igor Ifliand Paulini Kym JohnsonJustin MelveyTom WilliamsMichael Caton Joshua Keefe Samantha HarrisCourtney Act Courtney Act Mitch Kirkby Sally Pearson Arsen Kishishian Tamsyn Lewis Alex FevolaBrynne Edelsten Robbie Kmetoni Torah Bright Luda Kroitor Jason SmithDavid CampbellKostya Tszyu Anh DoLuke JacobzLincoln LewisGeorge HouvardasDan EwingJohnny Ruffo Natalie LoweMatt ShirvingtonIan Roberts Anthony KoutoufidesTim Campbell Danny Green James MagnussenMichael Usher Lyu MasudaJessica GomesDeni HinesEmily WeirNadia BartelSusie O'Neill Brendon MidsonEsther AndersonSamantha Armytage Michael MizinerBec Cartwright Tania ZaettaEmily Scott Rachael Finch Sophia Pou Craig MonleyBridie Carter Cal WilsonFiona O'Loughlin Bec HewittBridie CarterChristie Whelan BrowneNova PerisBrittany Hockley Shae MountainDami ImSchapelle Corby Violeta MugicaTravis Cloke Linda de Nicola Andrew Gaze Wendell SailorMark Beretta Peter Everitt Stefano Oliveri Jodi Gordon Jessica McNamee Christopher Page Vogue Williams Andrew Palmer Nicky Buckley Katrina PatchettManu Feildel Alana Patience Brodie Holland Molly MeldrumTom Waterhouse Rob PalmerManu Feildel Brendan JonesPaul FenechLarry Emdur Giselle Peacock John Paul Young Jenni PedersenJohn Wood Liza van Pelt David Wirrpanda Carmello PizzinoNoeline Brown Arianne Caoili Kylie Gillies Tamara Jaber Lara Bingle Kerri-Anne Kennerley Sally Obermeder Lynne McGrangerLynette Bolton Siobhan PowerCurtly AmbroseJamie DurieKris Smith Ben CousinsHarry Garside Jessica Prince Caine Eckstein Jordan Stenmark Mark Holden Jessica Raffa Gerrard Gosens Blair McDonough Nick Bracks Brendan Fevola Cosentino Anthony KoutoufidesMatt PrestonAdam DovileTrent Cotchin Emily Reilly Todd Woodbridge Abbey Ross Chris Hemsworth Christopher Ryan Kerry Armstrong Elena Samodanova Shannon Noll Damien Samuel Jessica Watson Gleb Savchenko Erin McNaught Danil SavelievLaura Byrne Karina Schembri David Hobson Trenton Shipley Chris Bath Patrice Smith James Tomkins Derryn Hinch Csaba SzirmaiKatrina WarrenShane Gould Amanda Keller Corinne Grant Charli Delaney Declan Taylor Pia Miranda Julz Tocker Ashley Hart Salvatore VecchioPauline Hanson Gustavo ViglioConstance HallChloe LattanziKyly ClarkeOlympia Valance Samantha JadeMia Fevola Alexandra VladimirovJimmy Rees Dean WellsTom WilliamsDavid Rodan Ant Middleton Ian Waite Virginia GayLisa McCuneRebecca Gibney Camille WebbTim Robards Sarah West Steven Bradbury Trent Whiddon Sara-Marie Fedele Megan Wragg Miguel MaestreBeau Ryan Cameron DaddoGavin Wanganeen Michael Wojick Elka Graham Damian WhitewoodDanielle SpencerTina Arena Kyly Clarke Kelly Cartwright Aric Yegudkin Ada Nicodemou Haley Bracken Zoe Cramond Rhiannon Fish April Rose PengillyEmma Freedman Michelle BridgesClaudia KarvanAda NicodemouKylie GilliesMary CoustasNikki OsborneFelicity Ward Paul Zaidman Kimberley Davies
Series overview