Dancing is back

IN A free-to-air landscape that’s really only got sport and reality TV going for it, I have been eager for the return of Dancing With The Stars.

A program that’s kept my attention since I was about 5, wearing my mum’s wedding heels and twirling my little sister around the living room, it holds a special place in my heart.

With the cast announced all the way back in February, they finally took to our screens this past Sunday.

Judge Helen Richey, who took a break last season, has returned, and so has Craig Revel Horwood, with a new look not dampening his criticism any.

After a trio of subpar performances from AFL star Trent Cotchin (they can’t seem to do one season without a footballer), podcaster Brittany Hockley and boxer Harry Garside (who I have to give props to for his vivacity), journalist (go team) Michael Usher surprised with a smooth foxtrot.

“Finally some talent!” Revel Horwood said, and even though everyone boos him, I think he’s often spot on and the show would be lesser without him.

However, I would also really love former judge Paul Mercurio to come back — especially since his Strictly Ballroom co-star and DWTS host Sonia Kruger has been teased to be stepping into her former character Tina Sparkle’s shoes in an upcoming episode.

But I digress.

Back to Usher, and Garside too to be fair, I love seeing the male contestants actually throw themselves into the show, its flamboyance and emotion, rather than be stiff and awkward.

I’m looking forward to comedian Shaun Micallef and TV host Osher Gunsberg hopefully doing the former next week.

Kudos also to Rebecca Gibney who also leaned into the fun and put on a great performance this past episode.

Let’s dance!