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Sequined and dangerous to know ex rugby player Norm Hewitt stormed his way across the dance floor to win TVNZ’s first series of Dancing With the Stars. Just Just under a million people tuned in to watch the final of the eight-week series which teamed some of New Zealand’s favourite B list celebrities with steely-toed dance professionals. A surprise hit the programme became the fevered source of debate around the nation’s coffee machines and on radio talkback each Monday morning. Controversy had dogged the series as Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt managed to outlast several better dancers with a major public relations campaign which some critics felt was funded by his rate payers. His first partner left before the series even aired and replacement Rebecca Nicholson had a tough job to train what one critic described as a “dancing hippopotamus”. Later a bitter war of words erupted when judge Alison Leonard stated that after his fox trot a few ballroom dancing purists would have “developed a bout of dysentery”. A week later she softened her criticism to comment on his ever-present smile as he cha chad out of the semi finals. Norm and partner
Carol-Ann Hickmore were early favourites in the series turning in some
innovative and inspiring performances. Two of these were repeated in the
finals with a waltz that judge Brendan Cole described as “immaculate”
and a paso doble complete with Maori haka that Paul Mercurio (of Strictly
Ballroom fame) said gave him goose bumps. Proving that dancing may have
been a bit more physically draining compared to his days as a hooker with
the All Blacks Norm remarked that between them he and Carol-Ann had lost a
total of 38 kilos. The other finalists, ex Shortland Street actor Shane Cortese with partner Nerida Lister, repeated a lively quickstep followed by a sensuous rumba demonstrating how their dancing had developed over the previous two months. Unable to dance a step at the beginning of the series Shane had worked long hours to perfect several energetic and imaginative routines. Stripped to the waist in his freestyle dance he came a close second to Norm with the judges awarding them 114 and 115 points respectively. In the end though it was the celebritys' charities that came out the winners. On the finals night alone 317, 698 votes were cast with 54% of the money raised going to Books In Homes and the Starship Children’s Hospital. Norm Hewitt’s stellar appearances have also been credited with a reported increase in the amount of men booking in for dance lessons at academies around the country. Judge Paul Mercurio summed it up by stating "I want to thank you both for making it okay for blokes to dance”. Dances With the Stars Celebrity Couples in order of elimination:
©Jen Longshaw
2001-2006
Please do not copy in any manner, print or electronic,
without permission from the author.
Ex Shortland Street Star Steps Out With Dancing With The Stars Partner |
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If
a New Zealander asks if you're feeling crook should you be insulted
or touched at his consideration? And why is going to bed with a hottie
no reason to get excited in the Land of the Long White Cloud?
