Aussie comedy icon Mary Coustas, famous for her iconic ‘Effie’ character, looks unrecognizable as she joins the cast of Seven’s Dancing with the Stars
Australian comedian Mary Coustas rose to fame as the loveable Effie in the 1990s TV hit Acropolis Now.
But the 58-year-old has now shed the off-putting outfits and big hair for a glamorous new look ahead of her performance on the new season of Dancing with the Stars.
The timeless funny lady says fans can look forward to seeing her hit the dance floor dressed in elegant sequins and short skirts when the show premieres on Channel Seven on June 18.
“I feel like I’m Effie without the boof,” Mary joked in an interview with the industry blog TV tonight on Friday.
Elsewhere in the chat, Mary revealed that she had turned down offers to appear on the hit dance show in the past because she was “too scared.”
Mary Coustas – pictured – sporting an elegant new look for her new role in Dancing with the Stars
Australian comedian Mary Coustas rose to fame as the loveable Effie in the 1990s TV hit Acropolis Now (pictured)
The timeless funny lady says fans can look forward to seeing her hit the dance floor dressed in elegant sequins and short skirts when the show premieres on Channel Seven on June 18. Pictured: Mary with the cast of Seven’s Dancing with the Stars
Mary changed her mind after deciding to appear in TV and stage work as herself instead of starring in character roles.
“I’ve been doing more ‘Mary work’ over the past two years, and it made sense for me to keep taking those ‘Mary’ risks,” she explained.
The mother of one also admitted that learning the elaborate dance routines for the show with dance partner Aric Yegudkin was a serious physical and emotional challenge.
“This has — as anyone who’s done this show will tell you — pushed me way beyond my comfort zone,” she said.
Mary, who performs for her chosen charity Youth Off the Streets, added that doing the show was ‘joyful and liberating’.
However, Mary says viewers won’t see her appearing on other reality shows any time soon.
‘Yes, I’ve been asked. I feel like life has traumatized me enough,” she joked.
Meanwhile, the veteran performer has gained new fans following a national Australian tour of her one-woman show, This is Personal.
Mary Coustas played the hilarious but sweet character of Effie in her heyday
Hosted again by Daryl Somers and Sonia Kruger, DWTS will feature a cast that includes Home and Away’s Emily Weir, former MasterChef judge Matt Preston, and former Bachelor star Laura Byrne.
The cast also includes Olympic champions Sally Pearson and James Magnussen and Better and Homes and Gardens star Charlie Albone.
Muriel’s Wedding Musical star Christie Whelan-Browne, comedian and Wentworth actress Pia Miranda will also hit the dance floor this season.
The cast is completed by actress Virginnia Gay, from the classic soap opera All Saints and singer Paulini and Phil Burton from Human Nature.