Brooke Hanson joins Seven’s dance

Olympian Brooke Hanson and Red Symons were tonight confirmed as two more participants in the next Dancing with the Stars. Actor Luke Jacobz, Sunrise’s James Tobin, and AFL player Paul Licuria are also confirmed.

They join Danny Green, Charli Delaney, Toni Pearen, Cal Wilson and Jodi Gordon. As Today Tonight said, “The criteria is simple you must firstly be a household name….” Can we be sure everyone passes this judgement?

Two of the names are, ironically, judges on other Seven talent shows. Maybe we will next have an entire talent show made up of judges -lord knows there’s enough these days.

A couple also have previous dancing experience, a criticism that was levelled at Nikki Webster (and even Patti Newton) on previous series.

But with Larry Emdur now off the list as host, TT didn’t tell us who will be replacing Daryl Somers.

Press Release:
Athletes, actors and all-round entertainers are set to feature in the latest instalment of Australia’s favourite TV series, DANCING WITH THE STARS.

Channel Seven is delighted to announce the 10 celebrities bold enough to take on the Dancing with the Stars challenge for the show’s eighth series.

This diverse group of brave entertainers have been paired with some of the nation’s best dancing talents for a crash course in all that is fleet-footed, graceful and downright fun.

Now the celebrities are fired up to burn the dance floor live on national TV to impress those who will decide their fate – the home viewers and the judges.

Your Dancing With the Stars 2008 dance-card:

Red Symons – the multi-talented wit, ABC radio presenter and Australia’s Got Talent judge we love to hate will be under close scrutiny with his partner and DWTS newcomer Ana Andre.

Brooke Hanson – one of Australia’s ‘Golden Girls’ from the winning 2004 Olympic 4x100m medley relay team, this beloved swimmer is out for dance floor glory with her powerful partner, John Paul Collins.

Danny Green – no stranger to fancy footwork, bright lights or satin, the boxer known as the “The Green Machine” is the ultimate competitor. He retired as the WBA light heavyweight world champion recently but he’s still out for glory, this time with his series 5 champion Natalie Lowe.

Jodi Gordon – Home and Away’s much-loved Martha MacKenzie and 2006 Logie winner for Most Popular New Female, Jodi will be out to snag a new trophy with her partner, two-time winner of New Zealand’s Dancing with the Stars Stefano Oliveri.

Paul Licuria – this former AFL Collingwood champion retired from the top grade last year. But he’s still in great shape and ready to take his on-field skills to the floor with the stunning Eliza Campagna.

Toni Pearen – the pint-sized darling of the small screen will be going for style, grace and flair rather than Dancing’s funniest videos when she takes to the floor with her partner, So You Think You Can Dance star Henry Byalikov.

Cal Wilson – this comedienne strikes the unique balance between sweet, gorgeous and downright hilarious on TV’s Thank God You’re Here and on Nova drive with Akmal Saleh. She’ll be hoping to find the right wavelength with the judges and a whole new audience with series 7 winner, Craig Monley.

Charli Delaney – an original ever-smiling member of children’s chart-toppers Hi-5, she now deals out support and advice to Aussie choirs. She had all the right steps for kids around the world but will she impress the DWTS faithful with returning favourite Csaba Szirmai.

James Tobin – since he joined the top-rating Sunrise team as its chief entertainment reporter he’s come face-to-face with some of the world’s biggest stars, Mariah Carey, George Lucas and Robert Downey Junior among them. But DWTS will be his greatest test yet with his partner, another newcomer, Jade Hatcher.

Luke Jacobz – for such a young bloke Home and Away’s cheeky new cop Angelo has a significant list of TV achievements, including stints on Heartbreak High and McLeod’s Daughters. He’s fired up to add the title of DWTS champion to his already impressive resume with pocket rocket Luda Kroitor. DANCING WITH THE STARS returns soon to Channel Seven.

Dancing with the Stars is based on the popular BBC format now licensed around the world and produced by Freehand Productions.