Tanssii tähtien kanssa (Dances with Stars) is a Finnish version of the British BBC television series Strictly Come Dancing. The show has run on MTV3 since March 3, 2006, on Sunday evenings. The tenth season will air in spring 2017.
The show was originally hosted by Marco Bjurström and Ella Kanninen. Ella Kanninen left the show after the second season and was replaced by model and Season 2 contestant Vanessa Kurri. In 2009, Kurri was replaced by Vappu Pimiä after only one season. Marco Bjurstöm left the series after Season 4 and Mikko Leppilampi took over as host. Ella Kanninen returned to host the seventh season due to Pimiä's maternity leave; Pimiä returned to host the eight season with Leppilampi.
A talk show Vappu tähtien kanssa (Vappu with the Stars) was broadcast during the fifth season of the main show. Based on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, it is a companion show to Tanssii tähtien kanssa. It aired during the run of the main show on MTV3 and was hosted by Vappu Pimiä, who also hosted the main show at the time.
The series' title is a pun on the title of the film Dances with Wolves, Tanssii susien kanssa.
Presenters
Full time presenter Competed as a contestant before being a presenter
Judges
Full time judge Competed as a contestant before being a judge
Professional partners
Color key:
Season 1 (2006)
Contestants:
Tomi Metsäketo (tenor) partnered by Sanna Hirvaskari, eventual winners
Kristiina Elstelä (actress) partnered by Marko Keränen, runners-up
Jukka Rasila (actor) partnered by Saana Akiola, eighth eliminated
Joona Puhakka (diver) partnered by Sanni Siurua, seventh eliminated
Nasima Razmyar (the refugee woman of 2010) partnered by Jani Rasimus, sixth eliminated
Jethro Rostedt (CEO, took part in the second season of a Finnish version of the reality show The Apprentice) partnered by Susa Matson, fifth eliminated
Satu Silvo (actress) partnered by Sami Helenius, fourth eliminated
Maria Jungner (TV host) partnered by Aleksi Seppänen, third eliminated
Juha Veijonen (actor) partnered by Sanna Hirvaskari, second eliminated
Anna Perho (reporter) partnered by Janne Talasma, eliminated first
Season 6 (2011)
Contestants:
Viivi Pumpanen (Miss Finland 2010, model) partnered by Matti Puro, eventual winners
Jarppi Leppälä (Dudesons-star) partnered by Anna-Liisa Bergstrom, runners-up
Jani Toivola (Member of Parliament, actor) partnered by Jutta Helenius, eight eliminated
Mikko Parikka (actor) partnered by Katri Mäkinen, seventh eliminated
Satu Ruotsalainen (former athlete, astrologist) partnered by Sami Helenius, sixth eliminated
Jukka Tammi (former ice hockey player) partnered by Saana Akiola, fifth eliminated
Siiri Nordin (singer) partnered by Jani Rasimus, fourth eliminated
Anneli Sari (singer) partnered by Marko Keränen, third eliminated
Veeti Kallio (actor, singer) partnered by Susa Matson, second eliminated
Mari Perankoski (actress, screenwriter) partnered by Toni Rasimus, first eliminated
Season 7 (2012)
The seventh season aired in the fall of 2012. Comedian Krisse Salminen won the season with Matti Puro, who also won the previous season.
Krisse Salminen (comedian) partnered by Matti Puro (Winner)
Antonio Flores (hairdresser) partnered by Disa Kortelainen (2. place)
Baba Lybeck (journalist) partnered by Mikko Ahti (3. place)
Sari Multala (competitive sailor) partnered by Sami Helenius (4. place)
Ristomatti Ratia (designer) partnered by Sanna-Maria Heikkilä (6. place)
Erja Lyytinen (musician) partnered by Markku Hyvärinen (7. place)
Amin Asikainen (boxer) partnered by Jutta Helenius (8. place)
VilleGalle (rapper) partnered by Kia Lehmuskoski (9. place)
Jippu (singer) partnered by Juri Trosenko (Last place)
Season 8 (2013)
The eighth season began on September 15, 2013. In this season, first time in the show's history, a competitor withdrew from the competition. Chef Harri Syrjänen injured his foot while practicing the dance and had to withdraw.
Raakel Lignell (musician) partnered by Jani Rasimus, eight eliminated but returned to competition; eventual winners
Manuela Bosco (actress and former sprinter) partnered by Matti Puro, runners-up
Harri Syrjänen (chef) partnered by Jutta Helenius, withdrew on November 11, 2013
Sari Havas (actress) partnered by Mikko Ahti, seventh eliminated
Juhani "Tami" Tamminen (ice hockey coach) partnered by Susa Matson, sixth eliminated
Sami Hedberg (stand-up comedian) partnered by Anna Sainila, fifth eliminated
Mert Otsamo (fashion designer) partnered by Ansku Bergström, fourth eliminated
Mariska (singer) partnered by Aleksi Seppänen, third eliminated
Juno (rapper) partnered by Kia Lehmuskoski, second eliminated
Noora Karma (magician and mentalist) partnered by Janne Talasma, first eliminated
Season 9 (2014)
The ninth season began on October 2014 and ended in November 2014.
Pete Parkkonen (singer) partnered by Katri Mäkinen, winners
Anu Sinisalo (actress) partnered by Jani Rasimus, runners-up
Janna Hurmerinta (singer) partnered by Matti Puro, eighth eliminated
Cristal Snow (presenter and actor) partnered by Kia Lehmuskoski, seventh eliminated
Kaj Kunnas (sports commentator) partnered by Susa Matson, sixth eliminated
Anne Kukkohovi (model) partnered by Marko Keränen, fifth eliminated