Let's Sing and Dance

Let's Sing and Dance, formerly known as Let's Dance, is a British television programme shown on BBC One, featuring celebrities performing famous dance routines to raise money for the charities Comic Relief and Sport Relief.[2] The programme was presented by Steve Jones and Alex Jones, who replaced previous host Claudia Winkleman in 2011. In the first series, Anton du Beke was a regular judge, appearing alongside two guest panellists, but in the second series onwards, three guest judges were on the panel each week.

Let's Sing and Dance
Also known asLet's Dance for Comic Relief
Let's Dance for Sport Relief
GenreTalent show
Presented bySteve Jones
Claudia Winkleman
Alex Jones
Mel Giedroyc
Sue Perkins
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series6
No. of episodes25
Production
Production locationsBBC Television Centre (2009–13)
BBC Elstree Centre (2017)[1]
Running time75–90 minutes
Production companyWhizz Kid Entertainment (eOne)
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release21 February 2009 (2009-02-21) –
25 March 2017 (2017-03-25)

The first series aired between 21 February and 14 March 2009 and was won by Robert Webb. It raised over £300,000 for Comic Relief. The second series, in aid of Sport Relief, aired from 20 February 2010 until 14 March and was won by Rufus Hound. The third series aired between 19 February 2011 and 12 March in aid of Comic Relief, and was won by James Thornton and Charlie Baker. A fourth series aired from 18 February until 17 March 2012 in aid of Sport Relief, and was won by Rowland Rivron.[3] The fifth ran from 16 February 2013 until 9 March 2013, and was won by Antony Cotton.[4] The series' finale was the last Saturday night show to be broadcast live from BBC Television Centre.

On 6 October 2016, the BBC announced that the show would return for Red Nose Day 2017 as Let's Sing and Dance for Comic Relief.[5] On 28 October 2016, it was announced that Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins would host the show.[6] In 2018, it was reported that the Let's Sing and Dance was cancelled after six series.

Format

The four-part series was announced by the BBC in January 2009 as part of the corporation's events surrounding Red Nose Day 2009, hosted by Steve Jones and Claudia Winkleman. For the first three programmes, six celebrity acts each recreated a famous dance routine. Viewers then voted for their favourite performer, with the proceeds from their calls going to Comic Relief/Sport Relief. The act with the most viewer votes went through to the final, and the three panellists chose a second act from the top three to go through. The top six acts then returned for the final.

In 2011, Winkleman was replaced by The One Show host Alex Jones.

Episode guide

Series 1 (2009)

Heat 1 (21 February)

The guest panellists the first week were Emma Bunton and Michael McIntyre. The programme also premièred the video for the charity single "Islands in the Stream" released by Gavin & Stacey actors Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon and featuring Tom Jones. The acts were, in order of performance:

ActDanceStatus
EastEnders"We're All in This Together" — from High School MusicalEliminated by the panel
Nicki Chapman & Christopher Biggins"You're the One That I Want" — from GreaseEliminated
Robert Webb"Flashdance... What a Feeling" — from FlashdanceSaved by public vote
The Chefs"Thriller" — Michael JacksonEliminated
Les Dennis"You Should Be Dancing" — from Saturday Night FeverEliminated
Dick & Dom"Shake a Tail Feather" — from The Blues BrothersSaved by the panel

Heat 2 (28 February)

The guest panellists for the second week were Jamelia and Paul O'Grady. The acts were, in order of performance:

ActDanceStatus
Hollyoaks"Footloose" — from FootlooseEliminated
Jo Brand"...Baby One More Time" — Britney SpearsSaved by the panel
The Dragons"Let's Face the Music and Dance" — Nat King ColeEliminated
Paddy McGuinness (comedian) & Keith Lemon"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" — from Dirty DancingSaved by public vote
Blue Peter"Jailhouse Rock" — Elvis PresleyEliminated by the panel
Neil Fox (broadcaster) & Nancy Sorrell"Candyman" — Christina AguileraEliminated

Heat 3 (7 March)

The guest panellists for the third week were Lisa Snowdon and Dara Ó Briain. The acts were, in order of performance:

ActDanceStatus
Angela Rippon"Big Spender" — from Sweet CharityEliminated
Dom Joly"U Can't Touch This" — MC HammerEliminated
Zoe Ball & Suggs"You Never Can Tell" — from Pulp FictionEliminated
Denise Lewis & Martin Offiah"Shakalaka Baby" — from Bombay DreamsSaved by the panel
Fern Britton"Singin' in the Rain" — from Singin' in the RainEliminated by the panel
The BillRiverdance — from RiverdanceSaved by the public vote

Final (14 March)

The guest panellists for the final week were Denise van Outen and Michael McIntyre. Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon and Tom Jones performed their charity single "Islands in the Stream", Alesha Dixon performed "Let's Get Excited" and the cast of Hairspray performed "You Can't Stop the Beat". Two acts from each heat returned for the final, and they were, in order of performance:

ActDanceStatus
Dick & Dom"Shake a Tail Feather" — from The Blues BrothersOut of running
Paddy McGuinness (comedian) & Keith Lemon"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" — from Dirty DancingRunners up
Denise Lewis & Martin Offiah"Shakalaka Baby" — from Bombay DreamsOut of running
Jo Brand"...Baby One More Time" — Britney SpearsOut of running
The BillRiverdance — from RiverdanceOut of running
Robert Webb"Flashdance... What a Feeling" — from FlashdanceWinner

Series 2 (2010)

In November 2009 it was confirmed on that the show would return but this time in aid of Sport Relief. Winkleman and Jones returned to host the show which kicked off on Saturday 20 February 2010. The contestants were to be judged by an all-new panel that saw the judging line-up change for all four shows (a format that would remain for the next two series).

Heat 1 (20 February)

ActDanceStatus
Rufus Hound"Fight for This Love" — Cheryl ColeSaved by the public vote
Olympians"Vogue" — MadonnaEliminated
Katy Brand"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" — BeyoncéSaved by the panel
Darts & Snooker"Walk This Way" — Aerosmith and Run DMCEliminated
Newsreaders"Kiss of Fire" — Georgia GibbsEliminated
Casualty and Holby"Jai Ho!" — from Slumdog MillionaireEliminated by the panel

Heat 2 (27 February)

ActDanceStatus
Sam and Mark"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" — Wham!Eliminated by the panel
Boxers"Bad Guys" — from Bugsy MaloneEliminated
Shappi Khorsandi"Hey Mickey" — Toni BasilEliminated
Debra Stephenson"Smooth Criminal" — Michael JacksonSaved by the panel
Michael Fish and the Weather Girls"It's Raining Men" — The Weather GirlsEliminated
Richard Arnold and Kate Garraway"Born To Hand Jive" — from GreaseSaved by the public vote

Heat 3 (6 March)

ActDanceStatus
The Bill"Hips Don't Lie" — ShakiraEliminated
Grumpy Old Women"Poker Face" — Lady GagaSaved by the panel
Cheryl Fergison"Ice Ice Baby" — Vanilla IceSaved by the public vote
Stephen K Amos"Rhythm of Life" — from Sweet CharityEliminated
Bellamy's People"Rasputin" — Boney M.Eliminated
The Footballers"Men in Black" — Will SmithEliminated by panel vote

Final (13 March)

ActDanceStatus
Richard Arnold and Kate Garraway"Born To Hand Jive" — from Grease Out of running
Katy Brand"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" — BeyoncéRunner-Up
Grumpy Old Women"Poker Face" — Lady GagaOut of running
Debra Stephenson"Smooth Criminal" — Michael JacksonOut of running
Cheryl Fergison"Ice Ice Baby" — Vanilla IceOut of running
Rufus Hound"Fight for This Love" — Cheryl ColeWinner
  • Cheryl Fergison injured her leg in rehearsals and was unable to perform. However, she remained in the competition, having her previous performance shown instead.

Series 3 (2011)

On 26 January 2011 it was confirmed the show was returning for another series. Steve Jones hosted the show along with The One Show's Alex Jones. It ran from 19 February until the final on 12 March, when Charlie Baker and James Thornton were crowned champions with their rendition of "Puttin' On The Ritz".

Heat 1 (19 February)

ActDanceStatus
Colin and Justin"Xanadu" — Olivia Newton-JohnEliminated
Russell Kane"Crazy in Love" — BeyoncéSaved by the public vote
Rebecca Front"It's Oh So Quiet" — BjörkEliminated
Waterloo Road"It's Like That" — Run-D.M.C.Eliminated by the panel
Ed Byrne"I Love to Boogie" — from Billy ElliotEliminated
Katie Price"I Want to Break Free" — QueenSaved by the panel

Heat 2 (26 February)

ActDanceStatus
Penny Smith"Toxic" — Britney SpearsEliminated
Lulu"Crank That" — Soulja BoyEliminated by the panel
Andi Osho"Bad" — Michael JacksonEliminated
Noel Fielding"Wuthering Heights" — Kate BushSaved by the panel
James Thornton and Charlie Baker"Puttin' on the Ritz" — Fred AstaireSaved by the public vote
Jarred Christmas"Hung Up" — MadonnaEliminated

Heat 3 (5 March)

ActDanceStatus
Marcus Brigstocke"Kung Fu Fighting" — Carl DouglasEliminated
Joe Swash and Caroline Flack"My Humps" — The Black Eyed PeasEliminated by the panel
Adrian Edmondson"The Dying Swan" — Mikhail FokineSaved by the public vote
Simon Brodkin"Club Tropicana" — Wham!Eliminated
Iain Lee"Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" — Will SmithEliminated
The 80s Supergroup"Greased Lightnin'" — from GreaseSaved by the panel

Final (12 March)

ActDanceStatus
Katie Price"I Want to Break Free" — QueenOut of running
James Thornton and Charlie Baker"Puttin' on the Ritz" — Fred AstaireWinner
Noel Fielding"Wuthering Heights" — Kate BushOut of running
The 80s Supergroup"Greased Lightnin'" — from GreaseOut of running
Ade Edmondson"The Dying Swan" — Mikhail FokineOut of running
Russell Kane"Crazy in Love" — BeyoncéRunner up

Series 4 (2012)

On 10 December 2011 it was confirmed the show was returning for another series. Steve Jones and Alex Jones continued to host the show which ran for 5 episodes from 18 February until 17 March 2012.

Heat 1 (18 February)

ActDanceStatus
Laurie Brett and Tameka Empson"Telephone" — Lady Gaga ft. BeyoncéSaved by the public vote
Terry Alderton"Proud Mary" — Tina TurnerSaved by the panel
Darren Gough"Gym Mambo" — from West Side StoryEliminated
Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton"Push It" — Salt-n-PepaEliminated by the panel
Renton Skinner and Ulrika Jonsson"El Tango de Roxanne" — from Moulin RougeEliminated

Heat 2 (25 February)

ActDanceStatus
Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards"Soul Bossa Nova" — from Austin PowersSaved by the public vote
Miles Jupp"Firestarter" — The ProdigySaved by the panel
Alice Barry"Outside" — George MichaelEliminated
Ava Vidal"Get Happy" — Judy GarlandEliminated
Amy Childs and Harry Derbidge"Me Against The Music" — Madonna & Britney SpearsEliminated by the panel

Heat 3 (3 March)

ActDanceStatus
Scott Mills and Olly Murs"Party Rock Anthem" — LMFAOEliminated by the panel
Arabella Weir"Can't Get You Out of My Head" — Kylie MinogueEliminated
Dani Harmer and Tyger Drew-Honey"Fat Sam's Grand Slam" — from Bugsy MaloneSaved by the public vote
Kirsten O'Brien"Jump" — Van HalenEliminated
Omid Djalili"Fight the Power" — Public EnemySaved by the panel

Heat 4 (10 March)

ActDanceStatus
Patrick Monahan"Only Girl (In the World)" — RihannaEliminated
Rowland Rivron"Weapon of Choice" — Fatboy SlimSaved by the public vote
Watson and Oliver"Boléro" — Maurice RavelEliminated
Suzi Perry & Ortis Deley"Livin' La Vida Loca" — Ricky MartinEliminated by the panel
Fatima Whitbread and The Cuban Brothers"You Should Be Dancing" — Bee GeesSaved by the panel

Final (17 March)

ActDanceStatus
Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards"Soul Bossa Nova" — from Austin PowersOut of running
Terry Alderton"Proud Mary" — Tina TurnerOut of running
Fatima Whitbread and The Cuban Brothers"You Should Be Dancing" — Bee GeesOut of running
Omid Djalili"Fight the Power" — Public EnemyOut of running
Dani Harmer and Tyger Drew-Honey"Fat Sam's Grand Slam" — from Bugsy MaloneRunners-up
Miles Jupp"Firestarter" — The ProdigyOut of running
Rowland Rivron"Weapon of Choice" — Fatboy SlimWinner
Laurie Brett and Tameka Empson"Telephone" — Lady Gaga ft. BeyoncéRunners-up

Series 5 (2013)

In 2013, the series reverted to three heats with six acts in the final. It ran from 16 February to 9 March.

Heat 1 (16 February)

ActDanceStatus
Soap Stars"You Can't Stop the Beat" — from HairspraySaved by the panel
Olivia Lee"Bad Romance" — Lady GagaEliminated
Tim Vine"Rock Your Body" — Justin TimberlakeSaved by the public vote
Destiny's Dad"Bootylicious" — Destiny's ChildEliminated
Ricky Hatton"Let Me Entertain You" — Robbie WilliamsEliminated by the panel

Heat 2 (23 February)

ActDanceStatus
Waterloo Road"Spice Up Your Life" — The Spice GirlsEliminated by the panel
Jon Culshaw"Praise You" — Fatboy SlimEliminated
Kim Woodburn & Rosemary Shrager"Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" — Marilyn MonroeEliminated
Katherine Ryan"Starships" — Nicki MinajSaved by the panel
Antony Cotton"Anything Goes" — from Anything GoesSaved by the public vote

Heat 3 (2 March)

ActDanceStatus
Ore Oduba and Sonali Shah"Hey Ya!" — OutKastEliminated
Jodie Prenger"Word Up" — CameoSaved by the public vote
Nina Conti"I Like to Move It" — Reel 2 RealEliminated
Lee Nelson"Swan Lake Hip-Hop Remix" — TchaikovskySaved by the panel
Vanessa Feltz"If I Could Turn Back Time" — CherEliminated by the panel
  • Boyzone's singer Keith Duffy was meant to participate in this episode but was unable to compete due to private matters. Jodie Prenger then took his place on the show.
  • Twist and Pulse featured in Lee Nelson's routine.

Final (9 March)

ActDanceStatus
Soap Stars"You Can't Stop the Beat" — from HairsprayOut of running
Tim Vine"Rock Your Body" — Justin TimberlakeOut of running
Katherine Ryan"Starships" — Nicki MinajOut of running
Jodie Prenger"Word Up" — CameoRunner-up
Lee Nelson"Swan Lake Hip-Hop Remix" — TchaikovskyOut of running
Antony Cotton"Anything Goes" — from Anything GoesWinner

Series 6 (2017)

The sixth series, renamed Let's Sing and Dance for Comic Relief, was hosted by former The Great British Bake Off presenting duo Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.[15]

The full episode line-ups were revealed on 28 February.[16]

Heat 1 (4 March)

Paul O'Grady was due to appear as a judge, but was forced to withdraw due to "personal reasons" and was replaced by Katherine Ryan[18]

ActDance & ArtistStatus
Matt Edmondson"Super Bass" — Nicki MinajEliminated by the panel
Helen Lederer & Harriet Thorpe"Dancing Queen" — ABBAEliminated
Russell Grant"Chain Reaction" — Diana RossEliminated
Rickie & Melvin"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" / "Men in Black" / "Boom! Shake the Room" — Will SmithSaved by the public vote
Sara Pascoe"Chandelier" — SiaSaved by the panel

Heat 2 (11 March)

ActDance & ArtistStatus
Holby & Casualty"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson featuring Bruno MarsSaved by the panel
Boys Allowed"Biology" — Girls AloudEliminated
Danny-Boy"I'm Still Standing" — Elton JohnEliminated
The ChasersThe Wizard of Oz MedleySaved by the public vote
Ola & James"All About That Bass" — Meghan TrainorEliminated by the panel

Heat 3 (18 March)

ActDance & ArtistStatus
Steph & Dom"Dead Ringer for Love" — Meat Loaf featuring CherEliminated
The One Show presenters"Born This Way" — Lady GagaSaved by the public
Pete Firman & Ellie Taylor"Black Magic" — Little MixEliminated
Alison Hammond"Get Ur Freak On" — Missy ElliottSaved by the judges
Sally Lindsay"Cum On Feel the Noize" — SladeEliminated by the judges

Final (25 March)

ActDance & ArtistStatus
Rickie & Melvin"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" / "Men in Black" / "Boom! Shake the Room" — Will SmithOut of running
Holby & Casualty"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson featuring Bruno MarsRunner-up
The ChasersThe Wizard of Oz MedleyWinners
Sara Pascoe"Chandelier" — SiaOut of running
The One Show presenters"Born This Way" — Lady GagaOut of running
Alison Hammond"Get Ur Freak On" — Missy ElliottOut of running

Ratings

Series 1

EpisodeDateViewers
(millions)
BBC1 weekly rankingShare
121 February 20097.06431.1%[21]
221 February 20096.90531.9%[22]
37 March 20098.44435.1%[23]
414 March 20098.26735.5%[24]
Series average7.6733.4%

Series 2

EpisodeDateViewers
(millions)
BBC1 weekly rankingShare
120 February 20106.471126.8%[25]
227 February 20106.77726.8%[26]
36 March 20107.201030.3%[27]
413 March 20107.27531.2%[28]
Series average6.9328.8%

Series 3

EpisodeDateViewers
(millions)
BBC1 weekly rankingShare
119 February 20117.98532.3%[29]
226 February 20117.74532.0%[30]
35 March 20116.65728.7%[31]
412 March 20117.42529.8%[32]
Series average7.4530.7%

Series 4

EpisodeDateViewers
(millions)
BBC1 weekly rankingShare
118 February 20126.84728.9%[33]
225 February 20125.811224.7%[34]
33 March 20125.87725.3%[35]
410 March 20125.291023.5%[36]
517 March 20125.88825.8%[37]
Series average5.9425.6%

Series 5

EpisodeDateViewers
(millions)
BBC1 weekly rankingShare
116 February 20136.98631.2%[38]
223 February 20135.351222.0%[39]
32 March 20134.742120.0%[40]
49 March 20134.832420.5%[41]
Series average5.4823.4%

Series 6

EpisodeDateViewers
(millions)
BBC1 weekly rankingShare
14 March 20173.743017.1%[42]
211 March 20173.39117.2%[43]
318 March 20173.712818.0%[44]
425 March 20173.08116.7%[45]
Series average3.4817.3%
^1 Overnight figure.

References

External links