Tamati takes an early bow

Breakfast weather presenter Tamati Coffey is an early favourite to win Dancing With The Stars in 2009.

Coffey a What Now presenter before joining TV One's Breakfast this year scooped 51 percent of votes on a poll on TV website Throng. The eight celebrity dancers in the fifth series include Black Sticks captain Lizzy Igasan, Olympics golden board sailor Barbara Kendall, actor Geraldine Brophy, sibling actors Rebecca and Chris Hobbs, former All Black Josh Kronfeld, and entertainment icon John Rowles.

Igasan, 26, was second in the Throng poll and Sunday News thinks the gorgeous sportswoman will quickly win fans.

Kronfeld, 37, might be a burly rugby player but he's also a top contender. The former Otago flanker has played a blues harp on stage with Midge Marsden and has twice won Celebrity Treasure Island.

Sibling rivalry will be at play when actors Chris Hobbs and his sister Rebecca Hobbs, both former Shortland Street stars, compete.

Geraldine Brophy is another former Shortland Street star but is best known for this year's hit movie Second Hand Wedding.

Hosts Jason Gunn and Candy Lane will return, together with last year's judging panel of Brendan Cole, Craig Revel Horwood, Alison Leonard and Paul Mercurio.

- © Fairfax NZ News