“I didn’t know who some of these celebrities were”

Dancing with the Stars‘ Todd McKenney is often noted for his outspoken comments, both on and off-screen, and surely knows how to keep himself employed by a network.

Whether it’s giving Nikki Webster just 1 point or telling Gerrard Gosens his dancing was ‘appalling,’ he fulfills the brief of divisive judge to a tee, ironically just at a time when another controversial judge is dropped from a rival show.

Today he has given a candid interview to Darren Devlyn of the Herald Sun, acknowledging some of the issues that have generated debate both within the Seven show and in his life.

Of the ninth season of celebrity dancers, McKenney admits, “To be honest with you, I didn’t know who some of these celebrities were. No matter who the celebrities are, it becomes about watching their struggle and journey. I think it’s interesting because it’s (competition) that close.”

He also responds to on-going criticism he has been too harsh on blind paralympian Gerrard Gosens:

“He’s heard every blind joke — ever. He said from night one, ‘Come on Todd, let me have it’ — to treat him like everyone else. I do a lot of work with the deaf community. I know they hate being patronised and I assume the blind community is the same.”

And of his personal headlines last year, McKenney admit:

“There’s nothing new to be said about it. The one thing I got out of it was an amazing, warm feeling of support from TV, radio and theatre and I’d be an idiot to (not) know that I was in a precarious situation. As far as the charges being dropped, no, it wasn’t an instant relief to me and it’s still not a relief I went through that. It never will be. After this interview I will never talk about it.”

He also hints at future ambitions.

“Another (ambition) . . . is I’d love to have a go at a Graham Norton-style television show, a free-form TV show using the public. I’d also love to do another straight play.”

You can read it in full at the Herald Sun