Everything you need to know about The Greatest Dancer
Simon Cowell's new show starts on Saturday 5th January!
He's responsible for shows like The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and Pop Idol, but now Simon Cowell is launching a brand new dance show on BBC called The Greatest Dancer, featuring Cheryl, Oti Mabuse, Matthew Morrison, Jordan Banjo and Alesha Dixon.
As the new series hits our TV screens for the first time on Saturday 5th January, here's everything you could ever need to know about The Greatest Dancer.
What is The Greatest Dancer?
The Greatest Dancer is Simon Cowell's brand new dance show, which is looking to find the UK's best dancer. This is the first time Simon's production company Syco have worked with the BBC.
From ballet to jazz, and hip hop to Bollywood, a statement from the show reads, 'Expect dramatic auditions, incredible challenges and remarkable live performances as dancers swing, swirl and sashay onto the stage each week in the hope of being named The Greatest Dancer.'
How does The Greatest Dancer work?
The show, which will run for eight weeks, will see solo dancers, duos and groups auditioning in a small studio with producers... but here is the twist!
Behind the carefully placed mirror is a studio audience and 'dance captains' Cheryl, Matthew Morrison and Oti Mabuse. If the audience decides they like the performer, the mirror will open and the performer will be placed into the 'Callback' room.
It's then down to Cheryl, Oti and Matthew to choose three acts they want to train and take into the next round.
When does The Greatest Dancer start?
In late 2018, bosses of The Greatest Dancer announced the show will launch on Saturday 5th January at 8pm. The show will last for one hour, 15 minutes.
What channel is The Greatest Dancer on?
Unlike most of Simon Cowell's TV shows, The Greatest Dancer will air on BBC One.
Who are the judges on The Greatest Dancer?
After much speculation, the judging panel, or should we say the dance captains, were revealed as singer Cheryl, Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse, and Glee and Broadway actor Matthew Morrison.
Cheryl said, “I’m so excited to be part of The Greatest Dancer. I’m looking for acts with real passion, who are going to push boundaries and give it their all, no matter what challenges are thrown at them. From my own dance background, I know the dedication and commitment dancing takes, I can’t wait to get started."
Oti added, “I’m looking forward to finding a dancer who can elicit emotion from the audience, I know how it feels to be on the other side and to be judged and critiqued for your dance or choreography."
With Matthew saying, "This is such a powerful moment for me. It’s wonderful to continue bringing music and dance into peoples’ lives like we did on Glee.
“Dance is a safe haven that allows us to communicate where words cannot. It’s an expression of love and empowerment, driven by all the emotions that make us human. I love being exposed to people who are pursuing art, and expression, and I look forward to being a moving force for good on their journey."
Who is presenting The Greatest Dancer?
As well as having a star-studded judging line-up, The Greatest Dancer also have some pretty recognisable presenters!
Former Mis-Teeq singer and Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon will join Diversity star Jordan Banjo to present the new series.
Is Simon Cowell on The Greatest Dancer?
No! Despite normally featuring on his own TV shows, Simon will not feature on The Greatest Dancer.
What is the prize on The Greatest Dancer?
The winner of The Greatest Dancer will not only receive a massive £50,000 cash, they will also perform as a special guest on the 2019 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
How long is The Greatest Dancer on for?
The show is on for eight weeks, made up of auditions, live challenge shows and the grande finale.
The first four weeks of the show were pre-recorded in 2018, with Cheryl, Oti and Matthew attending the auditions. Week 5 will see the show go live for the first time, with three weeks of live challenges for the contestants.
The final will then take place live, where one contestant will be crowned the winner.
See which artists found fame on TV talent shows:
Beyoncé
She's one of the world's biggest superstars but Beyonce first found fame on TV show Star Search back in 1993.
Beyonce enjoyed massive success alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams in girl band Destiny's Child but made a name for herself with her massive solo singles.
One Direction
They are one of the biggest bands in the world but we wouldn't have One Direction if it wasn't thanks to The X Factor.
Harry, Louis, Niall, Liam and Zayn all auditioned for the show as solo artists but were later put together in a group. Despite finishing third in 2010, the band went on to achieve massive success.
They went on to have five albums, four world tours and sold millions of records with hits such as 'Best Song Ever' and 'What Makes You Beautiful'.
After Zayn Malik announced his departure, the band started their hiatus in January 2016 and have all gone on to release solo material.
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud were first created when they appeared on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.
With Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle all winning a place in the band, the group went on to achieve their debut number one with the track 'Sound Of The Underground'.
Girls Aloud went on to achieve massive success in the UK and scored a record 20 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK Charts.
In 2013 the band announced their split after their final UK tour.
Little Mix
Little Mix made history in 2011 when they became the first ever band to win The X Factor.
Perrie, Jesy, Jade and Leigh-Anne released the track 'Cannonball' as their winners' single before going on to have hits such as 'Wings', 'No More Sad Songs' and 'Power'.
After a number of massive sell-out tours, the band are currently working on their fifth studio album and have just finished their 'Summer Hits Tour' in the UK.
Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen enjoyed massive success with her hit single 'Call Me Maybe' in 2012 but before that she came third on Canadian Idol.
After getting her break with 'Call Me Maybe', Carly went on to have hits such as 'I Really Like You' and 'Run Away With Me'.
Britney Spears
Britney appeared on Star Search at the age of just 11!
She went on to release her first two albums in 1999 and 2000 which turned out to be international successes.
After a hiatus away from music due to personal issues, Britney returned with a bang with hits such as 'Womanizer', 'Piece Of Me' and 'If You Seek Amy'.
Britney now has a Las Vegas residency for her 'Piece Of Me' show Planet Hollywood.
Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert shot to fame when he finished in second place on American Idol back in 2009.
The singer went on to release his debut album 'For You Entertainment' and has since sold over 5 million records to date.
In the past few years Adam has been touring as the lead vocalist with rock band Queen.
Fifth Harmony
American girl band Fifth Harmony started their success when they finished third on The X Factor USA back in 2012.
The band signed to Syco Records and enjoyed a number of hits both in the UK and USA including 'Work From Home' and 'Worth It'.
In 2017 Camilla Cabello announced she had left the band to focus on her solo caree, and in March 2018 the group revealed they were going on a hiatus.
Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera appeared on Star Search as a youngster back in 1990.
It wasn't until 1999 when the singer really made waves in the music industry with hits including 'Genie In The Bottle' and 'What A Girl Wants'.
Throughout the noughties Christina had some massive hits such as 'Dirrty', 'Beautiful' and 'Hurt' and later went on to star in a number of movies such as Burlesque.
The singer now has five Grammy Awards, has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and appears on The Voice as a mentor.
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks became American Idol's youngest ever winner when she won over competition at the age of just 17 in 2006.
The singer has since enjoyed massive success with her hits including 'Tattoo', 'Battlefield' and her 'No Air' debut with Chris Brown.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson shot to fame in 2002 when she became the first winner of American Idol.
Kelly has now released seven albums to date including the likes of 'Breakaway', 'Stronger' and her 2015 album 'Piece By Piece'.
Jennifer Hudson
Despite her amazing success, Jennifer unbelievably only finished 7th on American Idol back in 2004.
She's since went on to appear in hit movie Dreamgirls, released three studio albums and became a mentor on TV show The Voice UK.
Justin Timberlake
Mr Timberlake appeared on TV show Star Search in 1992 singing a country song in his audition.
He's come a long way since then! In the late 1990s Justin became one of the lead vocalists in boyband NSYNC.
He then went solo and achieved massive success with hits such as 'Cry Me A River', 'Rock Your Body' and 'Sexy Back'.
In 2016 Justin voiced a character for hit film Trolls and is set to return for the sequel in 2021. The singer also released his amazing new music in early 2018.
Nicole Scherzinger
She enjoyed massive success in The Pussycat Dolls but before that Nicole Scherzinger appeared on Popstars in 2001.
It was her time in girl band The Pussycat Dolls which really started her success. The band became one of the world's biggest selling girl bands with hits such as 'Don't Cha' and 'Jai Ho'.
Nicole later left the band and has enjoyed a solo career. The singer is also a judge on The X Factor, although rumours are suggesting she won't be returning for the 2018 series.
Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis won a £1 million recording contract with Simon Cowell when she won the third series of The X Factor in 2006.
Leona went on to have five successful albums and has completed three tours to date.
In 2016 Leona made her Broadway debut as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats.
Susan Boyle
Susan Boyle first shot to fame when she appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2009.
After shocking audiences and the judging panel with her incredible rendition of 'I Dreamed A Dream', Susan went on to finish in second place behind Diversity.
This was just the start for the Scottish singer as she went on to achieve massive success, selling millions of records worldwide.
Can i audition for The Greatest Dancer?
Auditions for the 2019 series of The Greatest Dancer are now closed.
How do I vote on The Greatest Dancer?
Just like other TV talent shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor, viewers of The Greatest Dancer will be given the chance to vote for their favourite contestants. However, this vote isn't due to open until the first live show in Week 5.
How do I get tickets for The Greatest Dancer?
If you wish to sit in the audience for the live shows of The Greatest Dancer, you can apply for tickets Applause Store.
The Greatest Dancer airs on BBC One at 8pm on Saturday 5th January.
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