Gavin Wanganeen among the big names on Seven’s Dancing With The Stars reality show

Gavin Wanganeen’s wife Pippa couldn’t convince the footy icon to take to their dancefloor at their wedding, but he says she wasn’t taking no for an answer when Seven called.

After skipping the dancefloor at his own wedding, it’s no surprise Gavin Wanganeen needed some persuading to join Dancing With The Stars.

The Port Adelaide great says some wise words from his wife Pippa convinced him to take part in the new season of Seven’s reality show.

“I didn’t want to at first, because I have never danced before and it just seemed way out of my comfort zone,” said Wanganeen, who previously starred on Ten’s Australian Survivor in 2021.

“But then, I told my wife Pippa about the opportunity and she made me say yes!”

Pippa admitted she’s “never” seen her husband of almost 11 years dance.

“Gavin is not a dancer normally. And by that, I mean I have never seen him dance. Not at a party, not even at our wedding,” she said.

“When he told me, I said ‘Gavin! You have to do this! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, and you will have so much fun’.

Dancing with the Stars 2023 cast including Gavin Wanganeen, front second from right.

Gavin Wanganeen on Australian Survivor. Picture: Nigel Wright. Picture: Supplied by Ten. .

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“I know this will be challenging for him, physically and mentally, but he is determined and competitive so I know he will give it everything he’s got.”

The 1993 Brownlow Medallist, foodie Matt Preston and Olympian Sally Pearson lead a star-studded cast for the new season of DWTS, which will air later this year.

Currently busy filming the program in Sydney, Wanganeen said he’s “curious” to see if he can improve his dance moves.

“Yes, I have a serious lack of dancing experience, and I’m really worried I won’t be able to get the moves down in time,” he said.

Other big names who will hit the dancefloor include retired Olympic swimmer James Magnussen, podcaster and radio host Laura Byrne, Australian TV royalty Mary Coustas and actor Pia Miranda.

Stage and screen stars Virginia Gay and Christie Whelan Browne are also vying for the prized mirrorball trophy.

Human Nature singer Phil Burton, Australian Idol icon Paulini, Home and Away favourite Emily Weir, Better Homes and Gardens resident landscaper Charlie Albone and The Chase Australia’s Supernerd, Issa Shultz, round out the line-up.