Simon Barnett's bare chest sets the world on fire

Simon Barnett's bare chest drew attention from the Dancing With the Stars judges and Twitter.

Dancing With the Stars contestant Simon Barnett caused a stir on and off the TV3 reality show last night with his revealing costume.

Dancing the pasadoble to Eye of the Tiger, Barnett came on stage in an open blue vest that barely covered his chest.

Talking to host Dominic Bowden after the performance, Barnett joked: "It's important to know these are my own clothes. I wear these to the supermarket, to the dairy, to the doctor.

"My kids at home will be cringing, going, 'Err, he's busted out his dad-bod'."

"I think people are voting for the dad-bod," Bowden replied, to cheers from the audience.

Simon Barnett and partner Vanessa Cole do the pasadoble on Dancing With the Stars.

The costume attracted the attention of the judging panel. Head judge Candy Lane started her assessment with: "First of all, Simon, you look nothing like my dad ... I wish."

Her comments created a pause before a wave of awkward laughter ran over the crowd.

A laughing Barnett responded simply with: "That sounds vaguely creepy."

Stefano Olivieri joined in, saying to Lane: "You wouldn't have moved out of home if your dad looked like that", to which she replied, "So true, so true."

Social media quickly responded to the 'dad-bod' comments and Barnett's costume choice.

Many questioned whether or not Barnett's physique deserved that label.

I'm pretty sure that Candy Lane wants Simon's #DadBod all up on her #MumBod @DWTSnz #DWTSNZ

— Nina Vailu'u (@nzNina) June 28, 2015

I didn't think I'd ever say this. But I think Simon Barnett is a little too 'ripped' to have a dad bod #DWTSNZ

— Emma Helleur (@EmmaHelleur) June 28, 2015

If you get Simon's body from having a couple of kids then let's go! #dadbody #babymakingtime #DWTSNZ

— Steve Broad (@stevejbroad) June 28, 2015

As a little kid who used to watch What Now, I feel a bit awkward seeing this much of Simon! #dwtsnz PS Candy's comments 😳

— No Wine Im Fine 🌿 (@NoWineImFine) June 28, 2015

Guess all the ladies are fanning themselves looking at Simon Barnett shaved chest #dwtsnz

— Chang Hung-Duncan (@ChangHung23) June 28, 2015

Whether it was the dancing or the 'bod', Barnett earned the first 10 of the season - from none other than Candy Lane.

- nzherald.co.nz