Seven’s newly-poached TV personality Dr Chris Brown is set to oust Daryl Somers as host of Dancing With The Stars, according to a new report.
The Herald Sun reports that the big TV shake-up will be announced at Seven’s Upfronts, set to take place on Wednesday.
The move would again pair Brown up with Sonia Kruger, after the pair hosted red carpet coverage at this year’s Logie Awards.
Somers, 72, has co-hosted Dancing With The Stars since Seven rebooted the show in 2021 after it was axed by the 10 network.
Similarly, Seven poached Brown from Ten in February this year, signing him up for a two-year contract believed to be worth more than $1 million a year.
Seven announced in June that Brown would front two new shows for the network, both set to air in 2024.
The first, an as-yet-untitled new adventure series, will see Brown take in some of the “most mind-blowing scenery on the planet, all in the pursuit of the ultimate animal encounter”.
As well as hosting, Brown will serve as a producer on the show.
Seven also confirmed speculation that Brown would be fronting its new series, Dream Home, which is billed as an “inspiring” new renovation competition where “the great Australian dream is transformed into the great Australian dream home.”
In a statement at the time, Brown said: “To be able to bring my world of animals to life in an original, adventurous and breathtaking way truly excites me.
“I can’t wait for the world’s wildlife and the search for Australia’s best dream home to land in our lounge rooms in 2024.”
Somers’ reported departure comes after the Hey, Hey veteran’s shambolic appearance at the Logie Awards in July, where he presented the night’s final award, the Gold Logie.
As the night dragged on, Somers delivered a bizarre “bit” staging a mock auction of the unenthused seven nominees.
“So we have seven very nervous nominees in the room but don’t let that hold you back. What is my bid? Please, don’t be shy, don’t be shy,” Somers began.
“Julia Morris, $5000, thank you. Wonderful, we are off, on the market. Hamish Blake, $10,000 from Hamish Blake. You will go back to back if you are lucky tonight. And from the heavy table, it is $15,000 from Sonia Kruger.”
Seven’s broadcast flashed to a number of celebrities in the room during the “excruciating” presentation, with past Gold Logie winner Tom Gleeson openly showing his disdain, appearing to mouth the words, “This isn’t funny.”
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Meanwhile, Brown’s former co-host on Ten’s The Living Room – which was “rested” from screens in 2023 – gave some insight into his decision to swap networks back when the move was announced in February. She revealed he was “looking for” more TV opportunities outside of his longtime hosting gig on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!, which he left in the move to Seven.
“So as Chris said, ‘I’m working one month a year on television’,” Keller revealed.
“In terms of television, he’s doing I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here, which pretty much goes for a month, and then he has 11 months where he’s looking for a TV project.”
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