TV Veteran Daryl Somers has formally confirmed his departure from Dancing with the Stars after a ten-season tenure, spanning two decades.
As revealed yesterday, Dr Chris Brown is set to host DWTS on Channel 7 from 2024 as part of a three-show deal with the network that will also see him present reality series Dreamhouse and a yet-to-be-titled adventure travel series.
Somers, in an official statement on his Hey Hey it’s Saturday Facebook page, remarked,
“Hi all. Just want to confirm the speculation that I will not be hosting Dancing With The Stars in 2024.
Seven let me know recently that they have signed Chris Brown to the network full-time and amongst his commitments he will be hosting DWTS.”
Reflecting on his time with the program, Somers added,
“Over a twenty year span, starting in 2004, I have completed ten series, the last one being a huge ratings success.
Off the back of that, I am happy to hand the Mirror Ball over to Chris and wish him all the very best.”
He also mentioned the upcoming ventures that were on the back burner during the pandemic, stating,
“While I shall miss the fun of working with my Gold Logie buddy Sonia, the quick-witted Todd McKenney and Mark Wilson ‘On The End’, I am now unencumbered to pursue the projects I put on hold during Covid and shall have some exciting news on that score early next year.”
In showing gratitude for the ongoing support he’s received, he specifically thanked Andrew Backwell and Angus Ross at Seven, mentioning the network’s commissioning of Hey Hey It’s 50 Years! in 2021, followed by five primetime specials.
With an impressive viewership, hitting highs of over 2.2 million, Dancing with the Stars has seen a series of hosts since its 2004 debut. Somers left in 2007, making way for names like Daniel MacPherson, Shane Bourne, Grant Denyer, and Amanda Keller.
Meanwhile, Sonia Kruger has stood her ground, co-hosting 14 seasons under Seven’s banner, which is now produced by BBC Studios Australia.
