Dancing With The Stars has returned in spectacular fashion to the nation's screens and three former Wagga residents are at the helm.

Sharna Burgess, Jarryd Byrne and Grant Denyer have all forged impressive careers in the media and entertainment industries, both in Australia and overseas.

But it is their training in Wagga that they all credit for the success they enjoy today.

Put it down to the nurturing environment, the fighting country spirit or endless opportunities available despite the perception Wagga is too small for anyone to succeed in.

All three agree that they would never have ventured as far in their careers if it was not for Wagga.

Sharna Burgess was born in Wagga and started her dance training here before moving overseas as a teenager.

She has since appeared as a professional dancer on Dancing With The Stars in America and won the last season with partner Bobby Bones.

For Sharna, judging was a natural progression in her career and she jumped at the chance to join the Australian version.

"They didn't just hand it to me, I had to prove myself," she said.

"I was so nervous because I wanted it so much."

Sharna said she feels at home behind the judge's desk and had to find her voice very quickly.

Her time as a dancer on the American counterpart means she can provide contestants with critique in a language they will understand.

One of those dancers she is critiquing is Jarryd Byrne, who is partnered with Neighbours and Playing for Keeps actress Olympia Valance.

Sharna remembers Jarryd from dance training in Wagga as a young boy who had so much promise that has developed into what she describes as a talented teacher and dancer.

"It makes me so proud of our Wagga roots to see so many of us out there," she said.

"We know what we came from and what it took to get there. We know we are a little bit far away from what people think is talent central.

"We have to work twice as hard."

And Jarryd knows a thing or two about hard work.

He is currently putting in 14-hour days as he splits his time between rehearsing with Olympia and preparing for Dirty Dancing, an Australian-first immersive theatre experience.

But he had no hesitation signing up as a professional dancer for his fourth season on DWTS, even before he knew who his partner would be.

Being on television is secondary for Jarryd, who is more concerned with sharing his passion and inspiring others.

"The passion I have for dancing, to see other people enjoy it on the same scale, that's why I do this show," he said.

"It's not just about performing each week, but about that connection."

As Jarryd looks around DWTS rehearsals each week, he is blown away by the talent that has emerged from regional Australia.

"I'm so proud of coming from Wagga," he said.

"There is something in the water."

He believes people from regional areas, such as Wagga, are at a unique advantage when it comes to achieving their goals, no matter the chosen field.

While the access to the best teachers and facilities is more readily available in metropolitan areas, Jarryd said people in cities tend to excel at a young age and lose interest fast.

Being from Wagga meant he worked harder and used the isolation as inspiration to achieve his dreams over a longer time period.

Jarryd said that process can be applied to any dream, not just one in the entertainment industry.

He regularly returns to his home town to spend time with his parents and sister, who still live here, or teach at schools around the region.

Jarryd was the city's Australia Day ambassador in 2016.

"Wagga tends to earth me as well … I constantly have to centre myself and I'm constantly grateful for the opportunities being presented to me," he said.

"And if I can inspire one kid to chase the dream like the one I had in my head, then I've done my job."

Facilitating the on-screen interaction between Sharna and contestants, such as Jarryd, is host Grant Denyer.

Grant started his media career as a cadet journalist at Prime News under the guidance of Doug Hogan in Wagga in the 1990s.

He still has ties to the region to a farm in Ariah Park that has been in his family for five generations, about 110 years.

Grant's introduction to journalism was all at once.

He was a cadet who was learning how to write news stories, teaching himself to edit, being given the freedom to make mistakes and operate a camera.

"I was a terrible journalist … but I think he (Doug Hogan) saw something in me," he said.

"Without that experience I wouldn't have had a 20-year career."

Grant and Sharna have spoken about their Wagga connection over a beer since starting on the show and realised they shared an interest in the same typical Wagga pastime - water skiing on Lake Albert.

A colleague of Grant's at Prime owned a boat and they would water ski at lunch time before returning to the office to put together the nightly bulletin.

Grant said Sharna shines on screen and adds a vibrant, fun, supportive and sassy element to the judging panel.

"It's great to see a couple of kids from Wagga doing well," he said.

All three said Samuel Johnson, Courtney Act and Jimmy Rees were ones to watch on the show, which airs on Monday nights on 10 Play.