21 February 2009 (2009-02-21) – 25 March 2017 (2017-03-25)
Let's Sing and Dance, formerly known asLet's Dance, is a British television programme shown onBBC One, featuring celebrities performing famous dance routines to raise money for the charitiesComic Relief andSport Relief.[2] The programme was presented bySteve Jones andAlex Jones, who replaced previous hostClaudia 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.
The first series aired between 21 February and 14 March 2009 and was won byRobert Webb. It raised over £300,000 for Comic Relief. The second series, in aid ofSport Relief, aired from 20 February 2010 until 14 March and was won byRufus Hound. The third series aired between 19 February 2011 and 12 March in aid of Comic Relief, and was won byJames Thornton and Charlie Baker. A fourth series aired from 18 February until 17 March 2012 in aid of Sport Relief, and was won byRowland Rivron.[3] The fifth ran from 16 February 2013 until 9 March 2013, and was won byAntony Cotton.[4] The series' finale was the last Saturday night show to be broadcast live fromBBC Television Centre.
On 6 October 2016, the BBC announced that the show would return for Red Nose Day 2017 asLet's Sing and Dance for Comic Relief.[5] On 28 October 2016, it was announced thatMel Giedroyc andSue Perkins would host the show.[6] In 2018, it was reported that theLet's Sing and Dance was cancelled after six series.
The four-part series was announced by the BBC in January 2009 as part of the corporation's events surroundingRed Nose Day 2009, hosted bySteve Jones andClaudia 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 toComic 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 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).
Cheryl Fergison injured her leg in rehearsals and was unable to perform. However, she remained in the competition, having her previous performance shown instead.
On 26 January 2011 it was confirmed the show was returning for another series. Steve Jones hosted the show along withThe One Show'sAlex 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".
On 10 December 2011 it was confirmed the show was returning for another series.Steve Jones andAlex Jones continued to host the show which ran for 5 episodes from 18 February until 17 March 2012.
Boyzone's singerKeith 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.
