Simon Barnett is a crowd favourite on Dancing With The Stars.
Simon Barnett is a crowd favourite on Dancing With The Stars.
Dumped dancing deejay Jay-Jay Harvey is plumping for Barnett.
Jay-Jay Harvey is backing reluctant sex symbol Simon Barnett to shimmy his way to glory in tonight's Dancing with the Stars grand final.
Harvey was eliminated from the show on Monday night, leaving a top three of Barnett and his dance partner Vanessa Cole, Chrystal Chenery and Jonny Williams, and Siobhan Marshall and Charlie Billington, in the race for dance-floor superiority.
As the final three put finishing dances to their routine today, Harvey said fan favourite Barnett was the celebrity dancer to beat.
"Simon could easily have been first to go after his first dance because his mouth was gaping open and he looked like a bit of an idiot," Harvey told the Herald on Sunday.
The biggest threat to Barnett's chances are Chenery and Marshall's elegance and glamour.
"But he has since transformed into a Kiwi superman and he has ladies in their 30s and 40s all hot and bothered. Simon is rocking it."
Despite being a crowd favourite, Barnett would still need to turn in the performance of a lifetime to win over judges Candy Lane, Hayley Holt and Stefano Olivieri.
"It is no secret Simon is technically not the best dancer but Vanessa disguises that with some sweet moves," Harvey said. "Any of the finalists is good enough to win but my gut feeling is Simon could clinch it."
The biggest threat to Barnett's chances are Chenery and Marshall's elegance and glamour.
"A lot of people didn't want to like Chrystal at first because they didn't like the way she came across on The Bachelor NZ, but I found her a lot of fun," the broadcaster said.
"She has worked hard to shake the bad rap and will do well in the final because she is gorgeous and has real presence.
"Siobhan is in with a real shout, too, because she is exudes class and is a very good dancer. She has the limbs for it, is focused and really wants to win."
Harvey will return with the six other eliminated contestants for a last bow in the final.
She said one of the most rewarding things about being on Dancing with the Stars was shedding 10kg in the space of two months.
"I would appear on the show again in a flash if only to lose another 10kg," she said. "I intend to start going to the gym on a regular basis."
In tonight's final, one couple will be eliminated after performances by each of the contestants. The voting is split equally between the public and the judges.
The remaining two duos will then dance again before final votes are cast and counted.
"Text voting will close at the end of the final advertising break but [host] Dominic Bowden will count this down and let viewers know in plenty of time," a MediaWorks spokeswoman said.
