Dancing with the Stars first show: How they fared

Former Bachelor competitor Chrystal Chenery struts her stuff on the first episode of the new season of Dancing with the Stars.

Dancing with the Stars has returned to New Zealand screens with the competing couples taking their first steps in front of the cameras.

Last night's 90-minute debut episode attracted 357,360 viewers, making it the third most-watched programme of the evening with Sunday, in the same time slot on TV One, getting a 463,640 audience, according to Nielsen.

There are 10 couples dancing in this series, up from eight in the previous NZ seasons.

Here's how they fared first up and the judges' scores...

1) Siobhan Marshall and Charlie Billington

They cha-cha-ed to Billy Joel's

Uptown Girl

with the actress showing not only has she mastered the footwork, she's already got the unshakeable smile of a ballroom pro.

Score: 21

2) Jay Jay Harvey and Enrique Johns

They jived to Christina Aguilera's Candyman while wearing WWII US Army costumes. Though maybe they should have gone for air force, as the routine included repeated inspections of each other's undercarriage.
Score: 20

3rd equal) Chrystal Chenery and and Jonny Williams

Jived to Taylor's Swift's Shake It Off which was the best song selection of the night with its subtle reference to Chrystal's previous reality show incarnation as the one-we-loved-to-hate on The Bachelor. Williams has been a finalist in DWTS two times before. His success in this series may depend on his partner's popularity with the public. Her Bachelor rivals were there in support/see her fall flat on her face.

Score: 19

3rd equal) Colin Mathura-Jeffree and Kristie Williams

The model-telly personality and partner jived to Wham's Wake Me Up Before you Go-Go with Colin channelling mid-period George Michael. "Colin, that's the first time I've seen you pick up a woman, " quipped judge Candy Lane.

Score: 19

5) Ben Barrington and Krystal Stuart

Foxtrotted to

Fever

. The former

Almighty Johnsons

star is already looking a sturdier partner for Stuart than her past season

DWTS

partners, Rodney Hide and John Rowles.

Score: 18

6) Teuila Blakely and Scott Cole

Opened the show jiving to

Happy

in a routine which included two tricky moves - firstly the polyrhythmic bum solo (successful) then a tricky spin lift (less so).

Score: 17

7) Maz Quinn and Caryn Lim

Champ surfer and partner foxtrotted to

Wade in the Water

in a routine marked by a couple of aerial 360s.

Score: 15

8). Shane Cameron and Nerida Cortese

The boxer and partner cha-cha-ed to U2's When Love Comes to Town with Cameron bringing out the big guns to launch Nerida into low orbit. She floated like a butterfly back to earth.

Score: 13

9). Simon Barnett and Vanessa Cole

Cha-cha-ed to Robbie Williams' Rock DJ. Barnett's facial expressions found a fascinating rhythm of their own throughout.

Score: 12

10) Pam Corkery and Matt Tatton-Brown

Achieved lift-off as they foxtrotted to Hey, Big Spender. But they may have already cashed in their future chances.

Score: 11