Channel Seven’s highly anticipated Dancing With The Stars made its return to screens on Sunday in an action-packed launch night, featuring some of Australia’s most popular personalities.
Steered by returning co-host Sonia Kruger and first-timer Dr Chris Brown in Season 21, the pair traded quips before introducing judges Helen Richey, Mark Wilson, Sharna Burgess, and Craig Revel Harwood.
With a dozen famous faces to hit the ballroom over two weeks in the first round of performances, Sunday’s show spotlighted the first six intrepid dancing stars.
Actor Lisa McCune was first to lace up her dancing shoes, with partner Ian Waite opting for the Tango to kick off the show.
Twirling in a vibrant red dress as everything and everyone faded to Black, a sultry and fired-up McCune left it all on the floor.
“He ripped my skirt it was so passionate,” she joked to Kruger. “What a way to start the series.”
“That’s not supposed to happen first time out,” Judge Wilson commented, admiring her powerful performance.
The duo copped an impressive score of 30 out of 40 for their efforts.
Nadia Bartel and returning partner Lyu Masuda tackled the notoriously difficult Cha Cha Cha, with the fashion entrepreneur admitting she had become “shocking at moving her hips” following childbirth.
Rocking a golden sequined frock, the duo sparkled in both the effort and wardrobe departments but not so on the scoreboard.
Making his name as a stern-faced chief instructor on SAS, the surprisingly smiley Ant Middleton “who’s never danced before” received a push-up-based punishment for rehearsal mistakes at the liberty of dance partner Alex Vladimirov.
The leather-clad performer’s hefty frame moved across the stage confidently while far from elegantly.
With his tattoos and gun show catching the judges’ eyes, Middleton grinned as he reflected on the journey he took to deliver a somewhat polished performance.
“It’s hard work, it’s consistent, there’s no let-up,” he admitted.
James Stewart traded his Summer Bay thongs for Latin dance shoes as he and partner Jorja Freeman attempted to turn the actor’s “first dance” ever into something memorable.
The swoony star opted for a fake-it-til-you-make-it approach as his confident screen presence transferred seamlessly to the dance floor.
Though someone may have turned up the ballroom’s temperature gauge as sweat dripped from Stewart’s brow and shirt.
“I don’t often say this but that was a sexy Cha Cha,” admitted Judge Sharna Burgess in a fluster.
Celebrity chef Julie Goodwin was unfortunately ruled out of performing on the night due to a training mishap involving partner Andrey Gorbonov.
“I was jumping on poor Andrey here and something snapped, and fortunately it was my leg and not his back,” she revealed to the crowd.
AFL champion Ben Cousins won his 2005 Brownlow Medal in Eagles colours, but dance partner Siobhan Power had him in a Foxtrot to start their campaign and conclude the night.
Labelled a “perfectionist” due to his tireless pursuit of improvement, viewers got an insight into the star’s work ethic which he applied to a different ball game altogether.
Donning a blue suit and grinning from ear to ear, the 7NEWS Sport presenter admitted his cheeky smile was a late addition to the choreography following hours spent honing his new craft.
“It’s been a good challenge, and I’ve got a great partner. So we’ve had some fun,” Cousins said after his routine.
While their positive attitude didn’t equate to raw numbers on the scoresheet, judges told the pair there was “room for improvement” and to come back stronger next time.
Following five varying performances, it was Lisa McCune and her partner Ian who won the night.