Hi everyone

I can't believe it's the last episode of the series coming up this weekend! The band and I have had a ball. Episode 9 saw the departure of Sam Armytage and Brendon Midson. Sam would be the first to admit that she wasn’t a flash dancer, but she did work really hard every week and she did try her best. She actually showed improvement in the latter weeks but unfortunately it was a little late in coming. But consider that she still has to do her reporting and hosting duties on the network mixed with her dancing rehearsals and the show rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday and you get a glimpse of her busy life, not forgetting having to get up at 4.30 to host her Sunday morning shows! She is a lot of fun off stage and her wit certainly has us all on our toes. And congratulations to Brendon too for doing a really great job with Sam.

The 4 couples had a very tough show to do. This is probably the most demanding show in all the series ever for the contestants. There were lots of high-stakes challenges every week on top of their own dances, so they were definitely kept on their toes but they all pulled it off beautifully. The Winner-Takes-All Challenge was almost the last “pressure straw” for them but they did a great job and as Todd said, it was very difficult to pick the winner. In the end, Manu’s high energy and enthusiasm took the top spot, well-deserved! He is certainly one of the most interesting and enthusiastic characters we have ever had on the show, a lot of fun and a great bloke! He is also very lucky to have a great partner in Alana who will certainly produce great choreography for the final. Damien’s presence is also very enjoyable. His total immersion in the music and the dance is a joy to behold and he is very lucky to have the dynamite Melanie. The final contender Hayley is a totally focused and intense competitor and is technically brilliant. Coupled with the very talented Aric and she will be incredible on the final night! It’s going to be very difficult to pick a winner, they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Whilst Melanie is a newcomer to the show (who has gone straight to the finals!), Alana and Aric are previous winners of the trophy. It is going to be an intriguing final, not much separating the contestants. It’s definitely going to be a very intense and exciting night!

This weekend sees the return of all the couples so it’ll be like a bit of a High School reunion! The 3 finalists have chosen really great musical numbers for their final dances and I am sure that their performances will match up to the great music they have chosen. I’m really looking forward to it.

We also have Darren Hayes performing his new single as well as an old Savage Garden favourite. He’s been busy working not just on the music but the choreographic side of it as well so it should be a lot of fun.