BBC1 Orders Let’s Dance For Sport Relief
The BBC today announced the return of celebrity packed dance extravaganza Let’s Dance For Sport Relief.
Hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Steve Jones, the popular primetime entertainment show, will return to BBC One, with a host of stars eager to step in to their sparkly pumps in aid of Sport Relief.
The four x 60 minute series will see famous faces from comedy, sport and television dance their version of famous dances from the world of films, pop promos and stage shows in a bid to be crowned champion of the dance-floor by viewers.
Last series, comedian Robert Webb’s unforgettable rendition of What A Feeling from Flashdance won over viewers who voted him the overall champion of the competition. So, who will compel with their classic dance moves? Whose hip moves will be hilarious? And most importantly, who will win this year’s momentous battle?
The series will run over four Saturday nights, comprising three heats and culminate in a spectacular final dance-off ahead of 2010’s big night of Sport Relief.
The celebrities will work with a team of top choreographers to master their dance moves and then take to the floor to give the performance of their lives in front of a live studio audience and a panel of fellow celebrities. Who gets through to the final and who wins is up to the viewers and the panel. Proceeds from the voting will go to Sport Relief.
Jo Wallace, BBC Executive for Entertainment, said: “Saturday nights on the BBC are all about eventful, big, fun, family entertainment and Let’s Dance For Sport Relief absolutely fits that bill. Following on from the last series, the celebrity packed show aims to have audiences singing and dancing along in their living rooms and no doubt in fits of laughter, as the stars of the show try to impress them and the judges with their dance moves, all in the name of charity.”
Malcolm Gerrie, Chief Executive of Whizzkid, said: “We are delighted that Let’s Dance For Sport Relief is back on BBC One. The last series surpassed all expectations drawing in weekly audiences of almost eight million. We plan to make this series even bigger and better.”
Kevin Cahill, CEO, Comic Relief, added: “Let’s Dance For Comic Relief was undoubtedly one of the highlights of Red Nose Day 09 and I’m delighted that it’s back again, this time for Sport Relief. We are confident the artists taking part will inspire viewers to rise to the challenge for Sport Relief. The campaign gets bigger each time we do it. Let’s Dance For Sport Relief will help secure its place in the hearts of the nation.”
Claudia Winkleman said: “I have always said I would do anything Sport Relief ask me to do. I would eat tangerines for a month and I would live in a kayak. The fact they ask me to stand next to a tall handsome Welsh boy and introduce comics and actors re-creating famous dances is extremely lucky. Working on Let’s Dance is the most fun a presenter can have. And that’s a fact.”
Steve Jones added: “Last years’ Let’s Dance was probably the most fun I’ve ever had working on a show.”
The show will be produced by Whizz Kid Entertainment for the BBC. Jo Wallace is the executive producer for the BBC. The series was commissioned by Jo Wallace and Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One.