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. 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.
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. The fifth ran from 16 February 2013 until 9 March 2013, and was won by Antony Cotton. 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. On 28 October 2016, it was announced that Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins would host the show. 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:
Act Dance Status EastEnders "We're All in This Together" — from High School Musical Eliminated by the panel Nicki Chapman & Christopher Biggins "You're the One That I Want" — from Grease Eliminated Robert Webb "Flashdance... What a Feeling" — from Flashdance Saved by public vote The Chefs "Thriller" — Michael Jackson Eliminated Les Dennis "You Should Be Dancing" — from Saturday Night Fever Eliminated Dick & Dom "Shake a Tail Feather" — from The Blues Brothers Saved by the panel EastEnders consisted of Cliff Parisi and John Partridge The Chefs consisted of Sophie Grigson, Nancy Lam, Sophie Michel, Reza Mohammad, John Burton Race, Paul Rankin, Silvena Rowe, Tony Tobin and Kevin Woodford
Heat 2 (28 February) The guest panellists for the second week were Jamelia and Paul O'Grady. The acts were, in order of performance:
Act Dance Status Hollyoaks "Footloose" — from Footloose Eliminated Jo Brand "...Baby One More Time" — Britney Spears Saved by the panel The Dragons "Let's Face the Music and Dance" — Nat King Cole Eliminated Paddy McGuinness & Keith Lemon "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" — from Dirty Dancing Saved by public vote Blue Peter "Jailhouse Rock" — Elvis Presley Eliminated by the panel Neil Fox & Nancy Sorrell "Candyman" — Christina Aguilera Eliminated
Hollyoaks consisted of Loui Batley, Nathalie Emmanuel, Garnon Davies, Dominique Jackson and Ricky Whittle The Dragons consisted of Duncan Bannatyne, Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden Blue Peter consisted of Mark Curry, Peter Duncan, Janet Ellis, Diane-Louise Jordan, Helen Skelton, Anthea Turner and Tim Vincent
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: Act Dance StatusAngela Rippon"Big Spender" — from Sweet CharityEliminatedDom Joly"U Can't Touch This" — MC HammerEliminatedZoe Ball & Suggs "You Never Can Tell" — from Pulp FictionEliminatedDenise Lewis & Martin Offiah"Shakalaka Baby" — from Bombay DreamsSaved by the panelFern Britton"Singin' in the Rain" — from Singin' in the RainEliminated by the panelThe BillRiverdance — from RiverdanceSaved by the public vote At the end of her performance, Britton was joined by husband Phil Vickery The Bill consisted of Patrick Robinson and Lisa Maxwell
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:
Act Dance StatusDick & Dom"Shake a Tail Feather" — from The Blues BrothersOut of runningPaddy McGuinness & Keith Lemon"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" — from Dirty DancingRunners upDenise Lewis & Martin Offiah "Shakalaka Baby" — from Bombay DreamsOut of runningJo Brand"...Baby One More Time" — Britney SpearsOut of runningThe BillRiverdance — from RiverdanceOut of runningRobert 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) Panellists: Frank Skinner, Kimberley Walsh and Jason Manford Performances: Sugababes – "Wear My Kiss" JLS – "One Shot"
Act Dance Status Rufus Hound "Fight for This Love" — Cheryl Cole Saved by the public vote Olympians "Vogue" — Madonna Eliminated Katy Brand "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" — Beyoncé Saved by the panel Darts & Snooker "Walk This Way" — Aerosmith and Run DMC Eliminated Newsreaders "Kiss of Fire" — Georgia Gibbs Eliminated Casualty and Holby "Jai Ho!" — from Slumdog Millionaire Eliminated by the panel
Olympians consisted of Dalton Grant, Iwan Thomas, Mark Foster, Leon Taylor, Heather Fell and Jamie Baulch Snooker was represented by Dennis Taylor and Willie Thorne, and darts was represented by Bobby George and Tony O'Shea Newsreaders consisted of Ellie Crisell, Louise Minchin and Matt Barbet Casualty was represented by Charles Dale (Big Mac), Tony Marshall (Noel Garcia) and Ben Turner (Jay Faldren) Holby City was represented by Rosie Marcel (Jac Naylor) and Luke Roberts (Joseph Byrne)
Heat 2 (27 February) Panellists: Miranda Hart, Paddy McGuinness and Kelly Brook Performances Priscilla Queen of the Desert Gabriella Cilmi – "On A Mission"
Act Dance Status Sam and Mark "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" — Wham! Eliminated by the panel Boxers "Bad Guys" — from Bugsy Malone Eliminated Shappi Khorsandi "Hey Mickey" — Toni Basil Eliminated Debra Stephenson "Smooth Criminal" — Michael Jackson Saved by the panel Michael Fish and the Weather Girls "It's Raining Men" — The Weather Girls Eliminated Richard Arnold and Kate Garraway "Born To Hand Jive" — from Grease Saved by the public vote
Boxers consisted of Carl Froch, Johnny Nelson, Tony Jeffries and Duke McKenzie The Weather Girls consisted of Lara Lewington, Clare Nasir and Becky Mantin accompanied by Michael Fish
Heat 3 (6 March) Panellists: Denise Van Outen, Vic Reeves and Jo Brand Performances: Justin Bieber – "Baby" Cast of Chicago – "All That Jazz"
Act Dance Status The Bill "Hips Don't Lie" — Shakira Eliminated Grumpy Old Women "Poker Face" — Lady Gaga Saved by the panel Cheryl Fergison "Ice Ice Baby" — Vanilla Ice Saved by the public vote Stephen K Amos "Rhythm of Life" — from Sweet Charity Eliminated Bellamy's People "Rasputin" — Boney M. Eliminated The Footballers "Men in Black" — Will Smith Eliminated by panel vote
The Bill consisted of Sally Rogers and Chris Simmons The Grumpy Old Women consisted of Jenny Eclair, Linda Robson, Susie Blake and Lesley Joseph Bellamy's People consisted of Felix Dexter, Lucy Montgomery and Rhys Thomas The Footballers consisted of Peter Shilton and Jason Cundy
Final (13 March) Panellists: Robert Webb, Jon Culshaw and Jack Dee Performances: N-Dubz and the cast of Billy Elliot
Act Dance Status Richard Arnold and Kate Garraway "Born To Hand Jive" — from Grease Out of running Katy Brand "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" — Beyoncé Runner-Up Grumpy Old Women "Poker Face" — Lady Gaga Out of running Debra Stephenson "Smooth Criminal" — Michael Jackson Out of running Cheryl Fergison "Ice Ice Baby" — Vanilla Ice Out of running Rufus Hound "Fight for This Love" — Cheryl Cole Winner
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) Panellists: Graham Norton, Frank Skinner and Greg Davies Performances: JLS – "Eyes Wide Shut" Taio Cruz and Kimberly Wyatt – "Higher"
Act Dance Status Colin and Justin "Xanadu" — Olivia Newton-John Eliminated Russell Kane "Crazy in Love" — Beyoncé Saved by the public vote Rebecca Front "It's Oh So Quiet" — Björk Eliminated Waterloo Road "It's Like That" — Run-D.M.C. Eliminated by the panel Ed Byrne "I Love to Boogie" — from Billy Elliot Eliminated Katie Price "I Want to Break Free" — Queen Saved by the panel Waterloo Road consisted of Philip Martin Brown and Rebecca Ryan Arlene Phillips featured in Ed Byrne's performance
Heat 2 (26 February) Panellists: Jack Whitehall, Lee Mack and Keith Lemon Performances: Cee-Lo Green – "Bright Lights, Bigger City" McFly – "That's The Truth"
Act Dance Status Penny Smith "Toxic" — Britney Spears Eliminated Lulu "Crank That" — Soulja Boy Eliminated by the panel Andi Osho "Bad" — Michael Jackson Eliminated Noel Fielding "Wuthering Heights" — Kate Bush Saved by the panel James Thornton and Charlie Baker "Puttin' on the Ritz" — Fred Astaire Saved by the public vote Jarred Christmas "Hung Up" — Madonna Eliminated
Heat 3 (5 March) Panellists: Jo Brand, John Bishop and Felix Dexter Performances: The Wanted – "Gold Forever" Jessie J – "Price Tag"
Act Dance Status Marcus Brigstocke "Kung Fu Fighting" — Carl Douglas Eliminated Joe Swash and Caroline Flack "My Humps" — The Black Eyed Peas Eliminated by the panel Adrian Edmondson "The Dying Swan" — Mikhail Fokine Saved by the public vote Simon Brodkin "Club Tropicana" — Wham! Eliminated Iain Lee "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" — Will Smith Eliminated The 80s Supergroup "Greased Lightnin'" — from Grease Saved by the panel The 80s Supergroup consisted of Chesney Hawkes, Clare Grogan, Toyah Willcox and Limahl Rik Mayall reunited with Edmondson during his routine
Final (12 March) Panellists: Rufus Hound, Miranda Hart, and Louie SpenceProgramme Information – Network TV BBC Week 11: Saturday 12 March 2011 BBC Press Office, 4 March 2011 Performances: Plan B – "Writing's on the Wall" Nicole Scherzinger – "Don't Hold Your Breath"