Tom Williams on what we can expect from his Dancing With The Stars return

Television presenter Tom Williams reveals what we can expect from his return to the dancefloor and how parenting two young daughters has completely changed his life.

I never expected the reaction I received in the finale of Dancing With The Stars 16 years ago. I just remember a sense of relief that we [Williams and dance partner Kym Johnson, the duo that went on to win the 2005 series] got to the end and we could see that finish line.

“Does anybody want to see a middle-aged guy poncing around with no shirt on?” (Picture: Paul Suesse)

It had been a long season, and we just thought we should go for broke. I think freestyle dance gives you more liberty to have a bit of fun with it – so I took off my shirt on the dance floor…

People still say nice things to me about it and that kind of makes me feel happy.

My life has changed considerably since then. I’m now running a property business and I have a family [Williams and his wife, fashion designer Rachel Gilbert, have two daughters, Storm, 7, and Sloane, 5].

I love my new career. It’s a great opportunity and our business is really growing. I’ve had a very good time in television over the past 20 years but I felt it was time to let somebody else have a go at it.

“I’m not the 34-year-old I was back in 2005. I’m the 50-year-old married man with two kids.” (Picture: Supplied)

“I’m lucky enough to make this final, I suppose expectations will be high.” (Picture: Dancing With The Stars)

As a dad, I’ve learnt to have a whole lot more empathy and patience. With two little girls, I live in a fantasy land of unicorns, princesses and Frozen. It’s a very calm, sort of peaceful existence. Our kids are wonderful and they bring so much joy to our lives. We just feel completely blessed.

But the biggest thing I’ve learnt is the immense joy [that comes from] just watching them grow. Rachel and I feel very proud and we give each other a little pat on the back and congratulate ourselves on our parenting.

And that’s an important thing to do as a couple – you don’t go to university to learn this stuff! We’re in it together and we feel like we’re doing a good job.

“With two little girls, I live in a fantasy land of unicorns, princesses and Frozen.” (Picture: Supplied)

I think the kids will get a big thrill out of seeing me on the new season of Dancing With The Stars, and hopefully they can attend one of the live recordings.

Physically I’ve tried to prepare as best I can, but nothing can really prepare you for the constant hours of training and sweating. Your body moves in so many different positions it’s not used to.

The first two weeks [on the show] were really tough; now I think my body is adjusting to it a bit better and recovering quicker. But there’s no denying it’s been bloody tough. I’m not the 34-year-old I was back in 2005. I’m the 50-year-old married man with two kids.

And the calibre of people coming into this show is going to be tough to beat. Dancing With The Stars is now a far bigger beast. There are a lot more moving parts in the modern seasons, and the intensity and the skills are at another level of greatness.

Tom Williams features in this Sunday’s Stellar.

It’s a cliché, but my dance partner Alex [Alexandra Vladimirov] and I are just taking it one dance at a time.

As for taking my shirt off again... It’s probably going to be one of those tricks that many of the male celebrities and dancers will draw upon. Will I do it myself? Well, traditionally, you’ve got to make it to the final to do it. So if I’m lucky enough to make this final, I suppose expectations will be high.

Does anybody want to see a middle-aged guy poncing around with no shirt on? Probably not. We’ll have to wait and see.

Dancing With The Stars premieres soon on the Seven Network.

Originally published as Tom Williams on what we can expect from his Dancing With The Stars return