With every passing year, we await the usual rotation of reality TV shows to entertain, and even sometimes divide, us. And for Australians, one of those must-watch offerings is our very own Dancing With The Stars.
Each season, a new lineup of famous faces is paired up with a group of professional dancers to perform everything from a dramatic tango to a romantic foxtrot. But this year, things are looking rather different—or should we say, quite the same.
Thanks to this year’s Dancing With The Stars: All Stars edition, our favourite former Aussie contestants are returning to the dance floor to give it one last spin.
As for which household names will be returning to the small screen—and giving their best cha-cha—it’s safe to say, that the nation is far from disappointed.
From returning favourites to Aussie legends who have past reality TV experience—sans the dance floor—there’s plenty of nostalgia on offer this time around.
Dancing With The Stars: All Stars Cast
Jessica Gomes
Taking to the stage as a wildcard contestant, model and actress Jessica Gomes is best known for gracing the covers of major magazines like InStyle and Harper’s BAZAAR alongside walking some of the biggest—and most influential—runways all around the world. An ambassador for David Jones from 2013 to 2019, the 35-year-old recently starred in Netflix’s Tigertail ahead of her dance floor debut.
Bec Hewitt
A returning favourite, it’s been 17 years since Bec Hewitt’s triumphant victory on the show’s first season. Now, the 37-year-old trained dancer has made her comeback following her and dance partner Michael Miziner’s 2004 win—beating One Nation politician Pauline Hanson—to take home the Mirrorball trophy. The real question is: will history repeat itself?
Matthew ‘Matty J’ Johnson
Australia’s favourite Bachelor alum, Matthew Johnson has hopped back and forth between stints on reality television and radio—and back again to reality TV—which means that he is no stranger to the spotlight. As a wildcard for this season of the dancing show, the 33-year-old will be up against former contestants to show off his footwork.
Schapelle Corby
Making her reality TV debut on SAS Australia, Dancing With The Stars will mark Schapelle Corby’s second stint on the small screen. Announced as a wildcard participant, the 43-year-old will take to the stage with her dance partner, Shae Mountain, and will be forced to face a particular personal issue to contend for the top spot.
“I’m not a big hugger and I didn’t realise how much body contact I would have to do. It is something I’m not used to and through my time in rehearsals this is something my dance partner and I are working on,” she explained to the Daily Telegraph.
Manu Feildel
While he may be able to work his way around the kitchen, celebrity chef Manu Feildel will need to prove himself when it comes to his rhythmic footwork. After winning the 2011 season of Dancing With The Stars, he is making his long-awaited return for a second spin on the dance floor.
Erin McNaught
Taking to the Dancing With The Stars stage back in 2012, Erin McNaught has also gone against the odds on Channel Seven’s SAS Australia, alongside current cast mate Schapelle Corby.
Luke Jacobz
Alongside Bec Hewitt, yet another Home and Away alum has left Summer Bay for the stage. Luke Jacobz, who is currently making his comeback to Australian soap dramas, previously won his season of Dancing With The Stars back in 2008.
Renee Bargh
Hanging up her hosting microphone and throwing on her dancing shoes, The Voice‘s Renee Bargh is keen to take centre stage as a contestant this time around. The 35-year-old entertainment host is set to join the cast as a wildcard contestant in the hopes of taking out the top spot.
Kyly Clarke
Kyly Clarke may be used to dancing her way around a home renovation, thanks to her stint on House Rules, but now it looks as though she’s ready to take another swing at getting her groove on, having previously been voted out of the 2014 season of the show.
Jamie Durie
Taking to the stage alongside Melbourne-based dancer Siobhan Power, Jamie Durie is returning to the show after his 2007 appearance, 14 years ago. Coming in seventh place for the show’s sixth season, the former dancer plans to get his hands on the coveted disco ball trophy once and for all.
Lincoln Lewis
Having first showcased his moves in the show’s 2009 season, Lincoln Lewis is back to dance his way to number one, after previously finishing in seventh place. The 33-year-old took to Instagram to express his excitement over his imminent return to the small screen, writing: “Two left feet here we goooo!”
Ada Nicodemou
Like former Home and Away alum, Bec Hewitt, Luke Jacobz and Lincoln Lewis, Ada Nicodemou is familiar with appearing on the small screen. As a matter of fact, Ada took out the top spot when she competed back in 2005, meaning that she’s more than ready to do so again, especially since she’s returning with the same dance partner.
Fifi Box
Back in 2007, radio and TV star Fifi Box secured the second spot on her season of Dancing With The Stars. (in more ways than one), And while, she plans to put her best foot forward (in more ways than one), after coming in second place to Kate Ceberano during her season.
Tom Williams
Up against multiple past winners, TV presenter Tom Williams is another past victor of the series, thanks to his dancing prowess back in the show’s second season. This time, he’ll have to turn off his presenting persona and master the art of ballroom if he wants to take out the top spot.
