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EXCLUSIVE: How Adam Devile’s daughters convinced him to join Dancing With The Stars

And how his colleague Joh Griggs calmed his dancing jitters.
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Having never danced before, joining Dancing With The Stars was a daunting prospect for Better Homes and Gardens presenter Adam Devile.

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“I watched my sister dance a few times, reluctantly,” he tells New Idea. “My parents would drag me to her concerts. Apart from that, no dance experience. Except when I was at parties acting like an idiot, I’d get up and have a dance – but that just involved stepping back and forth and waving my arms around.”

A devoted family man, Adam confesses he doesn’t “party” as much these days – but he’s ready to see how his DWTS training translates to the dance floor.

adam dovile and jessica raffa dancing with the stars
Adam had never danced before DWTS. (Credit: Seven)

“I don’t know what’s in my repertoire until I get out there and see what pops out,” he laughs. “Maybe at the TV WEEK Logies I’ll get to show off a few moves!”

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It was his wife Lisa and two daughters, Arabella and Ruby, who convinced Adam to join the dance competition.

“They really wanted me to do it,” he says. “They love dance. Usually it’s me sitting at a concert watching my girls dance, so they are just so excited to be able to watch me.”

With the tables turned, Adam jokingly confesses he’s “worried” his daughters will critique his performances.

“They’ll watch and say: ‘Why were you doing that? Why did you do that? What are you doing with your hands?’” the House Rules alum laughs.

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adam devile wife lisa and two kids
His kids convinced him to join the show. (Credit: Instagram)

Not short on support, both from his family and colleagues, Adam was delighted when Better Homes and Gardens’ Johanna Griggs visited the dance studio.

Affectionally calling her “Griggsy,” Adam confesses he was initially “nervous” to dance in front of Joh.

“I hadn’t performed in front of anyone until until she came. But the nerves straight away went away because she had this big smile on her face and she gave me the confidence that I was all looking for.”

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The father-of-two has been partnered with professional dancer Jessica Raffa who, according to Adam, takes no prisoners when it comes to training.

“She’s a fellow Sicilian so she’s a bit crazy,” he jokes, adding he is used to “fiery” women having grown up with a Sicilian sister.

adam dovile jessica raffa and joh griggs
Joh Griggs (middle) came to visit Adam in the studio. (Credit: Instagram)

“I thought to myself, ‘oh dear, I better get these moves right, otherwise I’ll be in trouble.’ I’ve seen an angry Sicilian woman. You don’t want to get them upset, let me tell you that much.”

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Fire aside, Adam and Jess “spent their days laughing”.

“We trained bloody hard but we had a good time doing it.”

As for which of his fellow contestants impressed him the most, singer Samantha Jade was definitely a stand out for Adam.

“When Shane (Crawford) and I saw Samantha dance, we just looked at each other. You can’t tell which one is the amateur and which one is the professional. She’s so, so good!”

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You can catch Dancing With The Stars on Sunday 7pm on Seven and Seven Plus.

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