An extraordinary array of personalities will put their new ballroom dancing skills to the test on live television with the return of Channel Seven's hit show Dancing With The Stars.
With professions as varied as their dance styles, this year's line-up boasts a world first with blind adventurer and paralympian Gerrard Gosens among those vying for the series championship. There's also a country music star, world champion surfer, comedian and international cover girl. And for the first time 11, not 10, celebrities will battle it out for Dancing With The Stars glory.
Daniel MacPherson and Sonia Kruger will team up again to host Series 9, of Dancing With The Stars.
The unflinchingly honest and sometimes controversial judges scores, combined with the viewer vote, will determine who walks away with the coveted mirrorball trophy and a place in Dancing With The Stars history.
Your Dancing With The Stars 2009 dance-card:
Layne Beachley – World Champion surfer
This fiercely talented surfer and astute businesswoman rewrote history when she achieved the greatest number of consecutive World Championship titles; male or female. With a total of seven world championships under her belt, Beachley's determination and dedication will be hard to beat.
Dancing with Dannial Gosper
Emily Scott – International Cover Girl
This international cover girl and former gymnast was crowned "Australia's Sexist Woman" by FHM Magazine, appeared in Robbie Williams Rock DJ music clip and has snagged a guest role on the cult TV series Entourage. With a bourgeoning DJ career on the rise, she's definitely got rhythm - but does she have the steps to match?
Dancing with Michael Miziner
Kylie Gilles – The Morning Show Host
With her co-host Larry Emdur, Kylie Gillies serves up a mix of entertainment, news and humour five days a week on Channel Seven's The Morning Show. She's sung live on national television performing a duet with Irish crooner Ronan Keating. As an avid fan of Dancing With The Stars, having never missed an episode, she is about to make her own dancing debut!
Dancing with Carmelo Pizzino
Jess McNamee – Packed to the Rafter's actress
This popular actress is known to millions of Australians as the unflappable Sammy from Channel Seven's top-rating drama, Packed to the Rafters. Growing up with musical theatre, Jess is a natural performer, having scored a role in Home and Away not long after leaving school. She has her eyes firmly set on the Sereis 9 trophy, will she take it out?
Dancing with Stefano Oliveri
Fiona O'Loughlin – Comedian
Hailing from Alice Springs, Fiona "Full House" O'Loughlin is one of Australia's most successful comediennes and a very busy mother of five! She has performed at the invitation-only Montreal Comedy Festival and on the top-rating US program Last Comic Standing, but can she win over the judges on Dancing With The Stars?
Dancing with Craig Monley
Peter 'Spida' Everitt – Footy Legend
Peter 'Spida' Everitt made his debut for St Kilda in a sea of dreadlocks and tattoos in 1993. As one of the game's best ruckmen, he was in high demand playing for Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans during his envied AFL career. His huge following on the field led to the phenomenon that is the ‘spida dance'. Can Spida weave a web over the dancing audience?
Dancing with Linda de Nicola
Rob Mills – Singer and Actor
Currently playing the role of Fiyero in Wicked - the hottest musical theatre ticket in town - actor, singer, entertainer and former Australian Idol top 5 Rob Mills is looking to emulate his success on the dance floor .
Dancing with Sriani Argaet
Matt White – Today Tonight Host
Matt's no stranger to stiff competition, having covered some of the world's elite sporting events during his career as a sports journalist and commentator for Channel Seven. He's also leading the battle in the news and public affairs arena as East Coast host of Channel Seven's top-rating Today Tonight.
Dancing with Ash-Leigh Hunter
Gerrard Gosens – paralympian and adventurer
He's climbed Mt Everest, swum with sharks and flown a motor glider around Queensland. In a DANCING WITH THE STARS world first, blind adventurer and three-time Paralympian Gerrard Gosens is about to face his greatest challenge ever when he takes to the dance floor.
Dancing with Jessica Raffa
Lincoln Lewis – Home and Away actor
He won a Logie for Most Popular New Talent in 2008 for his endearing portrayal of farm boy Geoff Campbell on Channel Seven's Home and Away. Now Lincoln is looking to add another trophy to add to the mantlepiece.
Dancing with Luda Kroitor
Adam Brand – Country Music Star
His latest album Hell Of A Ride débuted at No.1 on the ARIA Top 20 Australian Artist Country Chart and with thirteen Golden Guitars, three platinum and two gold albums, Brand is preparing for one hell of a ride as a contestant in Dancing With The Stars.
Dancing with Jade Hatcher
SERIES WINNERS:
Series 1 (2004)
Bec Cartwright (Hewitt) and Michael Miziner
Runner up: Pauline Hanson and Salvatore Vecchio
Series 2 (2005)
Tom Williams and Kym Johnson
Runner up: Ian Roberts and Natalie Lowe
Series 3 (2005)
Ada Nicodemou and Aric Yegudkin
Runner up: Chris Bath and Trenton Shipley
Series 4 (2006)
Grant Denyer and Amanda Garner
Runner up: Kostya Tszyu and Luda Kroitor
Series 5 (2006)
Anthony Koutoufides and Natalie Lowe
Runner up: Arianne Caoili and Carmelo Pizzino
Series 6 (2007)
Kate Ceberano and John-Paul Collins
Runner up: Fifi Box and Paul Green
Series 7 (2008)
Bridie Carter and Craig Monley
Runner up: Anh Do and Luda Kroitor
Series 8 (2009)
Luke Jacobz and Luda Kroitor
Runners up: Danny Green and Natalie Lowe/Paul Licuria and Eliza Campagna
Dancing With The Stars is the smash-hit BBC format that has been seen in more than 30 countries around the world. It is a Freehand production for Channel Seven and BBC Worldwide.
