TV favourite Dancing With The Stars judge Mark Wilson is a little bit bleary-eyed, and barely out of bed, when Woman’s Day gives him a call to chat about the brand-new season.
But there’s a cute reason for his slow start. “I’ve got a beautiful little grandson. And he had his very first sleepover with Granny [Mark’s wife Annemarie] and Grandad last night.
Bennett is only 13 months. And he’s the lightest sleeper you’ve ever met,” says the Brisbane-based star, who is also grandad to two-year-old Elliot.
“I’d pat him on the back and sing him a song. And then he’d go back to sleep – so we did our grandparent job.”
Of course, the 61-year-old’s other, more high-profile job is judging the celebrity dancers on the reality competition – and he says we’re all in for a treat this season.
You’ve been a Dancing With The Stars judge and contestant all up for more than 20 years – do you still enjoy the job?
Yes, because the show itself has just sharpened up and improved – the season coming up is breathtaking!
How does it compare to past ones?
What I loved about this season was the celebrities. They were competitive. But they were competitive with themselves rather than being overly competitive with each other. They were such a joy because they worked hard.
Did any of the celebrities surprise you with their dance skills as a Dancing With The Stars judge?
Spoiler alert, I was shocked! When they first started moving, I thought, “What has happened?”
The audience is going to be so surprised. The change in some of the stars, who they would not expect to be a good dancer. You can see the ones who are really going to blossom.
As a Dancing With The Stars judge, who do you think has been the best contestant over the years?
Luke Jacobz [who won the show in 2008 and again in 2021]. As a man so free in himself, he was so comfortable in his skin as an artist – he crossed the boundary of just being a good dancer and a good artist to bring something deeper than just steps and choreography.
Who would you give special commendations to?
As a Dancing With The Stars judge, I’d have to say Bec Hewitt [who appeared on the show in 2004 and 2021] and [2023 champ] Phil Burton – oh, what a beautiful ballroom dancer!
Who do you think was the least-talented contestant?
Farmer Dave [David Graham in 2007] was the worst. It was just awful dancing. And he knows that. And Derryn Hinch [in 2005], up there with the worst samba that has ever been danced in the world.
I’ve never recovered from his performance!
JESSICA RAFFA
“They become like brothers,” the 40-year-old professional dancer – who began on Dancing 15 years ago – says of the celebs she’s trained. “I love them.”
In fact, the mum-of-two – who’s paired with Adam Dovile this time – started a side gig as a personal trainer, with one client 2023 partner Matt Preston. “He lost 14kg on the show. We train three times a week still. These are the connections you make… living out of each other’s pockets.”
ARIC YEGUDKIN
After 12 seasons on the show, the 38-year-old is still holding out for his dream dance partner! “I’d love to have Kylie Minogue,” he tells Woman’s Day.
“She’d be so good!” Unlike Dancing host Dr Chris Brown! “He came in for a lesson before the show started. And I ended up teaching him how to dance,” says Aric.
“He’s got two big left feet, so that was a challenge.” But luckily, he’s “really good” as host, he says.
Dancing With The Stars premieres 7pm Sunday on Seven & 7plus.
.png?resize=380%2C285&ssl=1)