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Dancing moves to Sunday nights

As expected Daniel McPherson has locked in as the host of the eighth series of Dancing with the Stars.

And as previously rumoured, the show will move to Sunday nights, when it premieres on August 31st. The shift will help Seven address one of its weaker nights (and Nine’s strongest), crucial as a platform to promote the coming week.

It’s also likely to make life very interesting at Global Studios in Melbourne, where Rove already airs live to air on Sunday nights.

Only last month MacPherson spoke of his disinterest in hosting a television series after The X Factor bombed in 2005. “Drama has always been my true goal … Nah, I can’t see myself hosting in the near future,” he said in July.

But this week he told the Sunday Telegraph, “I am very excited. It is going to be a challenge, but I’m ready and I can’t wait.”

MacPherson recently met Seven’s programming director Tim Worner to discuss new opportunities.

“I am obviously very happy at the network and City Homicide is doing great, but I was hungry. I was hungry for more,” he said.

“I reckon my appetite will be pretty well fulfilled at the end of this.

“The opportunity to be in the No.1 drama in the country and, potentially, the No.1 variety show simultaneously was just an offer that I could not refuse and it was a challenge I could not walk away from.

“The thrill, satisfaction and reward I got from the live component of X Factor prompted us (MacPherson and his management) to spend about 12 to 18 months developing and shopping around a live variety show,” he said.

“That was sort of the direction we were heading and then Tripping Over came along and then City Homicide came along and some opportunities in the States popped up.”

MacPherson recently signed with a US agent and manager. “I have signed with a wonderful (US) management company, 360 Management, and a very well-respected agency, ICM.

“There is nothing happening immediately, but in the next couple of years I think I will definitely go back and forth from here to the US a lot more often,” he said.

Source: news.com.au, Sunday Telegraph

Press Release:
Channel Seven is delighted to confirm that Daniel MacPherson will host the new season of the hit primetime variety show Dancing With The Stars.

Daniel will take up hosting duties for the eighth series, alongside Australia’s favourite dancing queen Sonia Kruger.

“Dancing With The Stars is such a fun format and it’s loved around the world, so I’m honoured to be taking up the hosting role,” Daniel says.

While host of Dancing With The Stars, Daniel will continue to film his role as Detective Simon Joyner in Seven’s top-rating drama City Homicide.

“This gives me the best of both worlds. I continue playing a role I love on City Homicide and get a chance to be myself and have a lot of fun on Dancing,” he says.

With the new role, Daniel has the opportunity to star simultaneously in Australia’s number one drama and the country’s biggest light entertainment show.

“It was an opportunity just too good to refuse,” he says. “I love the challenge of hosting live television, I think it’s the pinnacle of TV presenting and I can’t wait to get started.”

Daniel’s career has continued on a vertical trajectory since he took his first role in Neighbours in 1998. Hosting Dancing With The Stars will add to his varied resume, which includes stage, TV presenting and dramatic work, including a stint on the long running UK police series, The Bill.

Dancing with the Stars is a hit BBC format now in more than 30 countries. It is produced by Freehand Productions for the Seven Network and BBC Worldwide.

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