The 1st series of So You Think You Can Dance premiered on 2 January 2010, beginning with one audition show which showed the auditions, choreography camp and introducing the top 14. Five elimination rounds were followed by a final, with performances and results shown on the same night. The winner's prize was the title "Britain's Favourite Dancer", £100,000 and a trip to Hollywood, where the winner would perform in the US series finale.
The finale of the first series was held on 13 February 2010. Robbie White was injured, and could not perform. Lizzie Gough coming third, Tommy Franzén was the season runner-up, but female jazz contestant Charlie Bruce ended up as the winner.
It was also the first series were each contestants have been in the danger zone.
Judging panel Former Strictly Come Dancing judge and choreographer Arlene Phillips and executive producer and creator of the show Nigel Lythgoe made up the original judging panel for series one. Louise Redknapp, Sisco Gomez and Priscilla Samuels were guest judges during the audition stages, alongside Phillips and Lythgoe.
Singer and dancer Louise Redknapp joined the panel as a permanent judge during the 'choreography camp' stage.
Choreographer and dancer Sisco Gomez became the fourth permanent judge. He joined the panel for the live shows, alongside Redknapp, Phillips and Lythgoe.
Auditions The preliminary auditions for the first series of the show were held in major cities throughout the UK in October 2009. Participants for the show had to be aged between 18 and 35 and could be amateur dancers or professionals who are not currently engaged in a professional contract. The BBC promoted auditions for the show via its official website.Be on a Show - So You Think You Can Dance
On 2 January 2010, they aired an audition episode. Audition guest judges were Priscilla Samuels, Sisco Gomez and Louise Redknapp. They showed different dancers all the time, good and bad. First, they showed auditions from London, and then from Manchester.
Choreography camp The choreography camp is just like the Vegas week in the US. For this part, Louise Redknapp joined Lythgoe and Phillips as a main judge, and the choreographers were judging when the contestants were dancing their choreography. 100 contestants were invited to the Choreography Camp, and after the group choreographies, there were only 26 contestants in the end, and then, they picked out their top 7 female contestants and top 7 male contestants (each gender).
Challenges ContestantsStyleMusicChoreographer(s)AllFoxtrot"Moondance"—Michael BubléJames JordanAllHip-hop"Black and Gold"—Sam SparroKate PrinceAllBroadway"America"—West Side Story (Soundtrack)Stephen MearAllContemporary"Happy"—Leona LewisMark BaldwinAll (in groups)Group choreographySong picked from a hatThe groupAll (individual)SoloSong chosen by the contestantThe contestant
Live Shows Top 14 contestants
Female contestants Contestant Age Home town Dance style Elimination dateCharlie Bruce19LeicesterJazz1st placeLizzie Gough25SouthamptonHip-hop3rd placeMandy Montanez31Maryland, U.S./LondonContemporary jazz6 February 2010Yanet Fuentes27CubaSalsa30 January 2010Hayley Newton26GuildfordBroadway23 January 2010Chloë Campbell25Hanwell, LondonJazz16 January 2010Anabel Kutay26ManchesterContemporary9 January 2010
Male contestants Contestant Age Home town Dance style Elimination dateTommy Franzén28SwedenHip-hop2nd placeRobbie White22ManchesterContemporaryWithdrew due to injuryAlastair Postlethwaite28PrestonBallet6 February 2010Drew McOnie24LondonMusical theatre30 January 2010Mark Calape24Milton KeynesHip-hop23 January 2010Gavin Tsang23ShrewsburyContemporary16 January 2010Chris Piper26LondonContemporary9 January 2010
Elimination chart KeyFemale contestantMale contestantBottom two couples/four contestantsEliminatedWithdrewWinnerRunner-Up
Date:9/116/123/130/16/213/2ContestantResultsTop 1Charlie BruceBtm 4WinnerTop 2Tommy FranzénBtm 4Runner-UpTop 3Lizzie GoughBtm 43rd PlaceTop 4Robbie WhiteBtm 4WithdrewTop 6Alastair PostlethwaiteBtm 2ElimMandy MontanezBtm 4Top 8Drew McOnieBtm 2ElimYanet FuentesTop 10Mark CalapeElimHayley NewtonBtm 2Top 12Gavin TsangElimChloë CampbellTop 14Chris PiperElimAnabel Kutay
Performance nights Week 1 (9 January 2010) Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)ResultMandy MontanezAlastair PostlethwaiteBroadway"I've Got Rhythm"—Bobby DarinStephen MearSafeLizzie GoughMark CalapeLyrical Hip-Hop"Take a Bow"—RihannaKate PrinceSafeAnabel KutayDrew McOnieJive"Proud Mary"—Tina TurnerRyan FrancoisAnabel Kutay eliminatedChloë CampbellGavin TsangContemporary"Why"—Annie LennoxMark BalowinSafeHayley NewtonChris PiperSamba"Mas Que Nada"—Jorge Ben JorCarmen VinceljChris Piper eliminatedYanet FuentesRobbie WhiteFoxtrot"Fever"—Michael BubléJames JordanSafeCharlie BruceTommy FranzénHip-Hop"The Way I Are"—Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.ESimeon QsyeaSafe Group dance: Top 14: "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"—Cami Thompson (Broadway; Choreographer: Stephen Mear) Musical guest: "The Way Love Goes"—Lemar (with guest dancers Boy Blue Crew) Solos: ContestantStyleMusicResultHayley NewtonContemporary"Say"—John MayerSafeChris PiperContemporary"Dirty Diana"—Michael JacksonEliminatedAnabel KutayJazz"Summertime"—Billie HolidayEliminatedDrew McOnieJazz"Luck Be a Lady"—Frank SinatraSafe Eliminated: Anabel Kutay Chris Piper New pairs: Hayley Newton and Drew McOnie
Week 2 (16 January 2010) Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)ResultYanet FuentesRobbie WhiteHip-Hop"Boom Boom Pow"—The Black Eyed PeasKenrick SandySafeChloë CampbellGavin TsangBroadway"Too Darn Hot"—Ann MillerKaren BruceBoth eliminatedHayley NewtonDrew McOnieContemporary"Speechless"—Lady GagaRafael BonachelaSafeMandy MontanezAlastair PostlethwaiteCha-Cha"I Like It Like That"—Peter RodriguesCarmen VinceljBottom 2Charlie BruceTommy FranzénPop-jazz"Everybody in Love"—JLSFrank GatsonSafeLizzie GoughMark CalapeViennese Waltz"Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?"—Bryan AdamsKatya VirshilasSafe Group dance: Top 12: "Ain't No Other Man"—Christina Aguilera (Jazz; Choreographer: Frank Gatson) Musical guest: Broken Heels - Alexandra Burke Solos: ContestantStyleMusicResultChloë CampbellJazz"Fever"—Patti DrewEliminatedGavin TsangContemporary"Dare You To Move"—SwitchfootEliminatedMandy MontanezJazz"Drumming Song"—Florence + the MachineSafeAlastair PostlethwaiteBallet"You Gotta Move"—The Rolling StonesSafe Eliminated: Chloë Campbell Gavin Tsang
Week 3 (23 January 2010) Group dances: ContestantsStyleMusicChoreographer(s)Top 5 female contestantsBollywood"Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)"—A. R. Rahman & The Pussycat DollsFrank GatsonTop 5 male contestantsBroadway"Jet Song" from West Side StoryTyce DiorioTop 10Hip-Hop"Pump It"—The Black Eyed PeasSimeon Qsyea Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)ResultLizzie GoughDrew McOnieDisco"Disco Inferno"—The TrammpsKaren BruceSafeMark CalapeMandy MontanezContemporary"Show Me Heaven"—Maria McKeeHenri OguikeMark Calape eliminated Mandy Montanez in bottom 4Yanet FuentesTommy FranzénSalsa"La Malanga"—Eddie PalmieriRichard MarcelTommy Franzén in bottom 4Alastair PostlethwaiteHayley NewtonHip-Hop"Forever"—Chris BrownSimeon OsyeaHayley Newton eliminatedCharlie BruceRobbie WhiteContemporary"This Woman's Work"—MaxwellTyce DiorioSafe Musical guest: "One Shot"—JLS Top 8 contestants’ solos: (the contestants that got into the bottom 4, performed the same solo again) ContestantStyleMusicResultCharlie BruceJazz"Pop"—'N SyncSafeRobbie WhiteContemporary"This Is Your Life"—SwitchfootSafeHayley NewtonJazz"Supermassive Black Hole"—MuseEliminatedAlastair PoslethwaiteBallet"Any Other World"—MikaSafeLizzie GoughPopping"Comptine d'un autre été : L'après-midi"—Yann TiersenSafeDrew McOnieBroadway"Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart"—Judy GarlandSafeMandy MontanezJazz"Cruel Intentions"—Simian Mobile Disco feat. Beth DittoBottom 4Mark CalapeLyrical Hip-Hop"If I Ain't Got You"—Alicia KeysEliminatedYanet FuentesSalsa"Crazy"—Pitbull feat. Lil JonSafeTommy FranzénBreakdance"Beggin'"—MadconBottom 4 Eliminated: Hayley Newton Mark Calape
Week 4 (30 January 2010) Group dances: ContestantsStyleMusicChoreographer(s)Top 4 female dancersBroadway"Move (You're Steppin' on My Heart)" from DreamgirlsStephen MearTop 4 male dancersBallet"Swan Lake"Matthew BourneTop 8Pop-jazz"Relight My Fire (Element Remix)"—Take ThatGareth Walker Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)ResultYanet FuentesRobbie WhiteLindy Hop"It Doesn't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got That Swing)"—Billy BanksRyan FrancoisYanet Fuentes eliminatedRobbie White in bottom 4Charlie BruceDrew McOnieLyrical hip-hop"Doesn't Mean Anything"—Alicia KeysKate PrinceCharlie Bruce in bottom 4Drew McOnie eliminatedLizzie GoughAlastair PostlethwaiteContemporary"No Air (Acoustic)"—Jordin Sparks & Chris BrownRafael BonachelaSafeMandy MontanezTommy FranzénBroadway"Gotta Be Something Better Than This"— Sweet CharityStephen MearSafe Top 8 contestant’s solos: (the contestant that got into the bottom 4, performed the same solo again) ContestantStyleMusicResultAlastair PostlethwaiteBallet"Get It On"—T.RexSafeLizzie GoughHip-Hop"Poker Face"—Lady GagaSafeTommy FranzénLocking"Blame It on the Boogie"—Michael JacksonSafeMandy MontanezContemporary"Kissing You"—Des'reeSafeRobbie WhiteContemporary"Wherever You Will Go"—The CallingBottom 4Yanet FuentesSalsa"Let's Get Loud"—Jennifer LopezEliminatedDrew McOnieBroadway"Call Me"—BlondieEliminatedCharlie BruceContemporary"Apologize"—Timbaland feat. OneRepublicBottom 4 Musical guest: "Blame It on the Girls"—Mika Eliminated: Yanet Fuentes Drew McOnie
Week 5 (6 February 2010) Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)ResultLizzie GoughRobbie WhiteBroadway"Hot Honey Rag" from ChicagoKaren BruceBottom 4Hip-Hop"Mad"—Ne-YoSimeon QsyeaMandy MontanezAlastair PostlethwaiteContemporary"Fix You"—ColdplayLynne PageBoth eliminatedPaso Doble"Dies Irae"—Karl JenkinsKatya VirshilasCharlie BruceTommy FranzénJazz"Circus"—Britney SpearsSean CheesmanSafeQuickstep"Do Your Thing"—Basement JaxxKaren Hardy Solos: (the contestants that got into the bottom 4, performed the same solo again) ContestantStyleMusicResultCharlie BruceJazz"Conga"—Gloria EstefanSafeLizzie GoughLyrical Hip-Hop"Bleeding Love"—Leona LewisBottom 4Alastair PostlethwaiteBallet"Tetsujin" from The Matrix RevolutionsEliminatedTommy FranzénBreakdanceVariations from Song and Dance (Andrew Lloyd Webber)SafeRobbie WhiteContemporary"She's So Lovely"—Scouting For GirlsBottom 4Mandy MontanezContemporary"Feeling Good"—Michael BubléEliminated Group dance: Top 6: "Big Spender (Wild Oscar Mix)"—Shirley Bassey (Broadway; Choreographer: Karen Bruce) Musical guest: "I Got You"—Leona Lewis Eliminated: Mandy Montanez Alastair Postlethwaite
Week 6 (Finale) (13 February 2010) Group dance: ContestantsStyleMusicChoreographer(s)Top 3Pop-Jazz"I Gotta Feeling"—The Black Eyed PeasFrank GatsonTop 13Jazz"Bad Romance (Bimbo Jones Remix)"—Lady GagaGareth Walker Couple dances: CoupleStyleMusicChoreographer(s)Lizzie GoughTommy FranzénJazz"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"—EurythmicsMandy MooreCharlie BruceLizzie GoughBroadway"All That Jazz"—Catherine Zeta-JonesKaren BruceCharlie BruceTommy FranzénTango"Tango el Roxanne"—Ewan McGregorKatya VirshilasLizzie Gough (contestant)Alastair Postlethwaite (non-competing)Samba"Magalenha"—Sérgio MendesRyan FrancoisMark Calape (non-competing)Tommy Franzén (contestant)Hip-Hop"Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger"—Daft PunkSimeon QsyeaCharlie Bruce (contestant)Drew McOnie (non-competing)Lyrical"I Surrender"—Celine DionMandy Moore Solos: ContestantStyleMusicLizzie GoughHip-Hop"Don't Stop the Music"—RihannaTommy FranzénBreakdance"Cry Me A River"—Justin TimberlakeCharlie BruceJazz"Livin' la Vida Loca"—Ricky Martin The judges' favourite routine of the season: Hayley Newton and Drew McOnie: "Speechless"—Lady Gaga (Contemporary; Choreographer: Rafael Bonachela) Musical guest: "Morning Sun" Robbie Williams Places: 3rd place: Lizzie Gough Runner-up: Tommy Franzén