Dancing with the Stars - Manu Vatuvei excerpt (Series Eight Final)

In this excerpt from the 2019 Dancing with the Stars grand final, ex-Warrior Manu Vatuvei draws on his sporting career with a dance he helped to create. As the series progressed, the former league player grew in confidence and on making the final he wanted to choreograph a routine. Vatuvei and partner Loryn Reynolds perform daring lifts and dives, and add a traditional touch with a waltz to a moody cover of 1985 hit 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World'. Vatuvei's creativity earned maximum points from the judges, and when final votes were tallied the couple took the mirrorball trophy.

When I came back from England, I did nothing, I was getting really down. I didn't feel happy about myself. I still have a lot of things to work through, but hopefully this is the start of it.

– Manu Vatuvei on discovering unexpected joy in dancing, Stuff, 16 June 2019

Key Cast & Crew

Nigel Carpenter

Studio Director

Camilla Sacre-Dallerup

Head Judge

Sharyn Casey

Presenter

John McDonald

Executive Producer

Dai Henwood

Presenter

Charlotte Hobson

Series Producer