Dancing with the stars

DANCING WITH THE STARS kicked off its 10th series in spectacular style with a show-stopping performance by Pamela Anderson.

The Baywatch beauty and her US Dancing With The Stars partner, Aussie Damian Whitewood, spiced things up with a sexy Cha Cha Cha performance. Dancing to ZZ Top’s Give Me All Your Lovin,’ the pair brought the crowd to their feet. “I love it [dancing],” Pamela said. “I wish I could do it all the time. Damian’s been a great teacher. We got along right from the very beginning. I didn’t want to let him down here on his home ground in Australia.”

Hosted by Daniel MacPherson and Sonia Kruger, it was a brilliant night of entertainment as the “hottest woman in the world” shared the floor with some of the “hottest dancing in the world,” as Daniel so aptly put it.

Singer Tamara Jaber and dance partner Carmelo Pizzino received top honours from the judges, scoring 25 points out of a possible 30 with their sizzling Cha Cha Cha routine. Mark Wilson called it “hot and sexy,” while Todd McKenney said the couple were destined to do “great things in the competition.”

Second place with a score of 24 went to actor Blair McDonough and partner Jessica Raffa with their dazzling Cha Cha Cha performance. Dancing to John Butler Trio’s Close To You, the pair earned the first standing ovation of the series.

The lowest score of 12 went to AFL legend David Wirrpanda and partner Liza Van Pelt, whose Viennese Waltz failed to win the judges over.

The final scores were:

TAMARA JABER and Carmelo Pizzino 25

BLAIR McDONOUGH and Jessica Raffa 24

RACHAEL FINCH and Michael Miziner 23

MELINDA SCHNEIDER and Serghei Bolgarschii 21

ESTHER ANDERSON and Brendon Midson 20

ROB PALMER and Alana Patience 18

JO BETH TAYLOR and Dannial Gosper 17

JASON STEVENS and Eliza Campagna 16

GEORGE HOUVARDAS and Luda Kroitor 15

ALEX FEVOLA and Arsen Kishishian 15

DAVID WIRRPANDA and Liza Van Pelt 12

Now the judges’ votes are in, it is now up to the public to vote for their favourite celebrity and partner.

The voting lines opened after last night’s show. To keep your favourite celebrity in the competition SMS* their first name to 191 977 or call* the following numbers:

ESTHER ANDERSON supporting Beyond Blue Call 1902 55 77 10

ROB PALMER supporting Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Call 1902 55 77 11

JASON STEVENS supporting Compassion Call 1902 55 77 12

RACHAEL FINCH supporting Camp Quality Call 1902 55 77 13

GEORGE HOUVARDAS supporting Australian Children’s Music Foundation Call 1902 55 77 14

TAMARA JABER supporting Save Our Sons Call 1902 55 77 15

ALEX FEVOLA supporting Ronald McDonald House Call 1902 55 77 16

BLAIR McDONOUGH supporting Variety, The Children’s Charity Call 1902 55 77 17

JO BETH TAYLOR supporting Make a Wish Foundation Call 1902 55 77 18

DAVID WIRRPANDA supporting David Wirrpanda Foundation Call 1902 55 77 19

MELINDA SCHNEIDER supporting Olivia Newton-John’s Cancer and Wellness Centre Call 1902 55 77 20

*Voting costs 55c max. Mobile calls to 1902 extra.

Don’t miss next week’s show when the first contestant is eliminated. DANCING WITH THE STARS is live Sundays at 6.30pm on Channel Seven.

Catch up on all the latest DANCING WITH THE STARS NEWS on the official website http://yahoo7.com.au/tv

Channel 7 today announced Australia’s Got Talent winners Justice Crew will fire up the dance floor, joining the exciting opening night line-up of DANCING WITH THE STARS this Sunday.

The dance crew that triumphed over all the others to claim the quarter of a million dollar prize will join Baywatch beauty Pamela Anderson and her Aussie DWTS partner Damian Whitewood when the hit show returns for its 10th season.

The nine-man hip-hop group, who danced and back-flipped their way into the hearts of Australians, are looking forward to their first television performance since winning AGT.

“We are super honoured to continue dancing with Channel 7,” senior member Emmanuel Rodriguez said today. “And the boys can’t wait to see Baywatch superstar Pamela Anderson on the dance floor!”

The 11 celebrities vying for the coveted mirror ball trophy are:

Alex Fevola, celebrity photographer

Tamara Jaber, pop star

George Houvardas, Packed to the Rafters actor

Jo Beth Taylor, performer

David Wirrpanda, AFL legend

Rachel Finch, Miss Universe Australia 2009

Esther Anderson, Home and Away actress

Jason Stevens, former rugby league star

Rob Palmer, Better Homes & Gardens DIY guy

Blair McDonough, actor

Melinda Schneider, country music star

Daniel MacPherson and Sonia Kruger are back as hosts. And returning to the judging seats are Todd McKenney, Helen Richey and Mark Wilson.

DANCING WITH THE STARS returns this Sunday June 27 at 6.30pm.

Dancing With the Stars is the smash-hit BBC format that has been seen in more than 75 countries around the world.

It is a Freehand production for Channel 7 and BBC Worldwide.

DANCING WITH THE STARS US contestant Pamela Anderson and her Aussie dance partner Damian Whitewood will make a special guest appearance on the opening night of Seven’s dance smash, this Sunday June 27, at 6.30pm.

Anderson and Whitewood will take to the floor LIVE when DANCING WITH THE STARS returns to Seven for its 10th season.

The dancing duo will fly into Melbourne this week, just weeks after they wrapped their successful run on the US version – finishing in the final six, and impressing the judges and the American public with their moves.

Anderson is looking forward to returning to the dancefloor with Whitewood, this time on Aussie soil.

“I am doubly excited to be returning to Australia. It is one of my very favourite countries in the world to visit – great people, great beaches, great (veggie) food and everything I love,” she said.

“This time I am coming back with my dearest new Australian friend, the man who took on the task of teaching me how to dance, Damian Whitewood. It is really a thrill. I had a fantastic time dancing on the US version of the show and I am so looking forward to re-visiting that experience in a new context making new friends.”

Whitewood began dancing at the age of 10 and has been Australian Champion, WA State Champion and Australasian Champion in Ballroom and Latin American styles. He has also represented Australia in the Worlds Youth Latin in Germany, the Worlds Youth Ballroom in Russia and was a semi-finalist at the Blackpool International Championships in the UK.

In 2000, he stopped competing to become a cast member of the popular stage show Burn The Floor. He’s been touring with the production ever since. Career highlights along the way have been sharing the stage with the likes of James Brown, Shirley Bassey and Deep Purple in Monte Carlo.

Partnering with Anderson marked his Dancing With The Stars debut in the US.

DANCING WITH THE STARS – hosted by Daniel MacPherson and Sonia Kruger – returns this Sunday June 27 at 6.30pm.

Dancing With the Stars is the smash-hit BBC format that has been seen in more than 75 countries around the world. It is a Freehand production for Channel 7 and BBC Worldwide.

Jason Stevens

Partner: Linda de Nicola

Charity: Compassion

The former St. George then Cronulla Sharks player in the NRL is now an author.

Blair McDonough

Partner: Jessica Raffa

Charity: Variety, The Children’s Charity

This 29 yr old who is best known for his stint on “Neighbours” and “Big Brother” was last seen in “Sea Patrol.”

Melinda Schneider

Partner: Serghei Bolgarschii

Charity: Olivia Newton John’s Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal

A country singer with 5 CMAA awards.

Rob Palmer

Partner: Alana Patience

Charity: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

This “Better Homes and Garden” carpenter and presenter started off on “House Calls To The Rescue”.

David Wirrpanda

Partner: Liza Van Pelt

Charity: David Wirrpanda Foundation

David is an Indigenous Australian ex West Coast Eagles AFL player and heads the “David Wirrpanda Foundation” that promotes strong role models and healthy choices to Indigenous children.

Rachael Finch

Partner: Michael Miziner

Charity: Camp Quality

The 3rd runner up in the “Celebrity Masterchef” series and Miss Universe Australia.

Alex Fevola

Partner: Arsen Kishishian

Charity: Ronald McDonald House

Wife of Brendan Fevola, an AFL player for the Brisbane Lions. Brendan is the man accused of sending the Lara Bingle photo of her in a shower during their 5 week affair, while he was married.