Dancing With The Stars Amanda Keller on the new-look DWTS
Amanda Keller spills all on the new-look Dancing With The Stars
If anyone knows what awaits this year’s Dancing With The Stars contestants, it’s Amanda Keller. The beloved TV and radio personality, who’s hosting Ten’s reboot of the popular show alongside Grant Denyer, competed on the series in 2006.
But while she’s returned to the world of sequins and sparkles, Amanda, 56, says there’s no chance we’ll see her back on the dancefloor.
“The only time I get on the dancefloor these days is with a couple of pinot gris under my belt,” she jokes.
Sitting down with Woman’s Day ahead of show’s premiere next week, The Living Room star spills the beans on what it’s like working with Grant, how she feels looking back on her time on the show and what it was like hanging out with the Hemsworths!
So confession time: who's the biggest diva on set, you or Grant?
In our first meetings for DWTS, I flew in on my private Learjet with my name written in sequins on the side, but annoyingly Grant one upped me by arriving in a helicopter fashioned to look like the DWTS winner's trophy that he took home in series four!
Hilarious! What's your favourite thing about working with Grant?
We worked side by side when Grant filled in for Barry [Du Bois] on The Living Room while Barry was having cancer treatment. I was really impressed with Grant's ability to be in the moment but also focused on what's to come. When we're hosting over two hours of live television every week, it is great to know I can rely on him!
Speaking of The Living Room, will it be hard not being biased towards your co-host Miguel Maestre, who's competing on DWTS this year?
Luckily, I'm not a judge or else all those Maestre Family Foods paella kits and chip packets might be seen as bribery.
Who do you think is this year's front runner?
It is so hard to predict the winner in the beginning. There will always be some obviously good dancers... But there will be other contestants who start off a little clumsily but they improve dramatically throughout the season.
Looking back, what's your favourite memory from your season?
Well, apart from my extraordinary cartwheel, the times I spent hanging out with my fellow contestant Chris Hemsworth and his unknown younger brother Liam. I haven't heard of either of them since though. I wonder what they are up to?!
What dance did you find hardest?
There are several that I struggled with – if only the Nutbush had been accepted! But things like the paso doble and the rumba are really tricky. Getting the rhythm is one thing but the heel/toe “precision stuff” nearly did me in.
You and your radio co-host Brendan Jones have both competed on the show – and were the fifth to be eliminated! Who would win in a dance-off?
I'd probably be the better dancer, but the sheer goofy charm of Jonesy would win the audience over. But we're so competitive with one another we would probably dance to the death!
What kind of support have your husband Harley and two boys [teenage sons Liam and Jack] given you in your career?
There is no way I could have had the career I've had if not for the support of my family. Every time I take on a new project, I ask them if they're OK with what that brings, and they back every new challenge I take on – no matter how mortifying it is to see your mother being a fool on television!
‘The rumba is tricky... If only the Nutbush had been accepted!'