How Amanda Keller put her Logies disappointment aside to work with Gold winner Grant Denyer on DWTS
Former Gold Logie rivals Grant Denyer and Amanda Keller are finding their own groove as they reveal what’s ahead in Ten’s reboot of Dancing With the Stars.
They waged a clean war for last year’s Gold Logie — now Amanda Keller and the man who bagged TV’s biggest honour, Grant Denyer have put their friendly rivalry aside to quick step in line together.
The new hosts of 10’s revamped Dancing With Stars have the reality competition in common; but without rubbing salt into Keller’s wounds, it was the nimble feet of Denyer who outdid her again on that scoreboard.
Back when the series was on Channel 7, Keller found herself bundled out of the ballroom contest in the fifth round of season five, while Denyer took the disco ball trophy in season four.
But they can put that rivalry behind them and offer this year’s contestants the wealth of their experience.
Samuel Johnson is already the firm favourite to win in a line-up that includes Karl Stefanovic’s ex, Cassandra Thorburn, cricketing legend Sir Curtly Ambrose, Studio 10’s Denise Scott and former Neighbours pin-up Olympia Valance.
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Denyer is blunt about their early preparations, ahead of the first live show tomorrow night on Channel 10.
“They’re all crapping themselves,” Denyer tells News Corp Australia, with a laugh.
“I’ve never seen a more terrified bunch of celebrities in my life. I thought a lot of them might have a little bit more resilience about them but it is like learning to walk again — it is so foreign.
Denyer says Johnson had sought his advice on whether to throw his replica Molly Meldrum hat in the ring, with the former Family Feud host urging him to give it a go.
Now he’s not so sure.
“It appears that he is absolutely tragic on the dance floor. I’ve never seen someone struggle so much with the basics.”
As part of the show’s refresh, new judges will replace Todd McKenney, Kym Johnson and Helen Richie — a younger combination of Sharna Burgess (who appears as a dancer on the US version), as well as Tristan McManus and Craig Revel Horwood (both involved in the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing series).
Keller has been on the receiving end of scathing criticism from both the judging panel and an audience that doesn’t realise the tight turnaround for stars.
“People don’t realise how hard it can be and how demoralising it can be competing on the show,” Keller says.
“It is very hard when you have learned a dance three days before and you think you are mastering it okay, doing your best and the judges — quite rightly — say “what were you thinking?”
She argues “part of the fun for [viewers] is to see a person walk on a tightrope” then sit back and play expert at home.
“The audience sits there with its arms folded and says, “that’s the worst cha-cha I’ve ever seen.”
As a former winner, Denyer seems a perfect choice to co-host but it took him weeks to say yes.
“I was really lucky — I have Dancing with the Stars to thank for where my career is today,” Denyer says.
“At that point I was just one member of the Sunrise ensemble on breakfast television. It took me out of that group and gave me my own spotlight to stand in. I was really lucky to win it and from that came a couple of wonderful breakthrough television gigs that has led to a long term career. I’m really thankful it came along.”
The physical demands pushed Denyer in ways the adrenaline junkie had never been tested before.
“Learning to dance is difficult. It is unnatural and really a massive stretch emotionally as well. I had a lot of fun because you’re abilities increase at a really rapid rate.
“Doing Singing in the Rain and getting perfect 10s for a Paso Doble are some of the best memories of my life.”
Keller — beloved as host of Ten’s The Living Room — says she got on board because she wanted the challenge of fronting a big live shiny-floor show.
“There will definitely be nerves. I’d be foolish to say otherwise. But I’m glad I’m on the hosting side and not the dancing side.
“Fortunately, I’ve known Grant a long time and been a contestant on Family Feud and he filled in for Barry Du Bois for a couple of weeks on The Living Room.
“He is very interesting to work alongside. He is always thinking. He is charming and loveable and spontaneous but the brain is whirring and he is someone I can trust implicitly.”
Keller and Denyer know there will be tears and see part of their job as camp counsellors, if you will.
“Amanda has a tender touch when it is needed and I think there will be times when we’ll have to pick up a dancer or two and dust them off and go again.”
Denyer adds: “I think it has been away for the right amount of time. It is going to be done at a level it has never been done before. It is going to be next level in every single way.”
* Dancing With The Stars, 7.30pm, Monday, 10
Originally published as How Amanda Keller put her Logies disappointment aside to work with Gold winner Grant Denyer on DWTS
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