dancing with the stars

Last night the dance floor belonged to Johnny Ruffo when he was announced as the 2012 winner of Dancing With the Stars. The singer and his dance partner Luda Kroitor took out the title over musician — and Russell Crowe’s wife — Danielle Spencer and her partner Damian Whitewood. Johnny and Luda’s victory came after a night of three dances: a foxtrot, a sudden death cha-cha (which knocked Packed to the Rafters actress Zoe Cramond out of the competition) and a freestyle dance that earned them a perfect score of 30.

Johnny didn’t expect to win the mirror ball trophy, saying, “I said I’d be stoked if we made it to week five.” Over the past few months the money he’s raised from the public vote has gone to Youth Off the Streets. The DWTS win comes after a huge first six months for Johnny, who placed third in The X Factor last year, which includes touring with One Direction, being named Cleo Bachelor of the Year runner-up, and releasing his new single, “On Top,” last week.

Congrats to Johnny and Luda!

Photo courtesy of Channel Seven

Kerri-Anne Kennerley shocked the nation on Monday when she revealed she is battling breast cancer. The beloved TV personality, who discovered the lump during a dress fitting for a dance routine on The Morning Show, copped some criticism after saying she was delaying her surgery so she could enjoy the Dancing With the Stars after party. She appeared on Today Tonight last night to clarify that despite her sunny disposition, she is taking her diagnosis seriously. She told Matt White, “If my surgeon had said [to do it now], I’ll be in at four o’clock today — I’d be there. I do take advice — don’t tell my husband — but there is a few days’ flexibility on this.”

More from Kerri-Anne’s interview when you keep reading.

TV star and Dancing with the Stars contestant Kerri-Anne Kennerly has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The shock news comes after the vivacious TV personality recently filled in for Kylie Gillies on The Morning Show, showing no signs of slowing down after her diagnosis just a week ago. In this week's New Idea, Kerri-Anne reveals that she saw a doctor after noticing a lump during a routine costume fitting for DWTS. "If it hadn't been for that, I might have never noticed the lump... I guess you could say DWTS saved my life." The 58 year old entertainer is determined to beat the disease but has delayed surgery until after the DWTS finale this coming Sunday. We wish her a speedy recovery.

Shannon Noll was forced to pull out of Dancing With the Stars after undergoing emergency spinal surgery. Shannon reportedly injured himself while rehearsing a lift with his professional dance partner Elena Samodanova. He said, “Thanks to everyone who has supported me and my charity, Beyond Blue. I’ve really appreciated it and I’m really sorry that I couldn’t keep going in the competition. It’s sad that this happened the way it did.” He cheekily added, “I’d like the judges to come in and give a score on the doctor’s efforts, to make sure they do a good job.” As a result of Shannon’s withdrawal, no one was eliminated last night, and votes will roll over to next week’s show.

It’s the first time in twelve seasons that a contestant has had to leave due to injury, but not the first time someone has left voluntarily — in 2010, former AFL player David Wirrpanda surprised cast and crew when he quit live on air, just before the elimination was announced.

Who’s in the running to win the mirror ball trophy on Dancing With the Stars this year? Channel Seven has confirmed the first four celebrities from this year’s line-up: Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Vogue Williams, Johnny Ruffo and Brendan Fevola. Kerri-Anne’s name has been in the mix ever since she made the move from Channel Nine to Channel Seven, while Johnny Ruffo already has a relationship with Seven after placing third in The X Factor last year — the network will surely appreciate the young female audience he brings to the show. Brendan’s ex-wife Alex was a competitor in the 2010 series and came third. Irish DJ Vogue’s fiancé is Australia’s Got Talent judge Brian McFadden, so we can expect to see him cheering her on in the crowd. And while the following names haven’t been officially confirmed, sources say Erin McNaught, Shannon Noll, Danielle Spencer, Jessica Watson, Brian Mannix and Zoe Cramond will also hit the dance floor to show off their cha-cha-cha skills.

Mel B is returning to Australian TV screens as the new co-host of Channel Seven’s Dancing With the Stars. The former Spice Girl is replacing Sonia Kruger, who moved to Channel Nine for the new show Mornings (which kicked off today) and to host Big Brother later in the year. Mel was previously a contestant on the US version of DWTS in 2007 and made it all the way to the grand final. In a statement, Mel said, “As any contestant on DWTS will tell you, it does change your life. I will be bringing my experiences to the show, and will be very protective of this year’s group.” In her role she will talk to contestants in the green room after their performances.

Mel already has a strong relationship with Channel Seven after bringing her funny and feisty personality to the judging panel of The X Factor last year. There were rumours that Fifi Box and Natalie Bassingthwaighte were in the running for the role as Daniel Macpherson’s co-host. The new series of the show will air soon.