1. Strictly Come Dancing
1. Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing, also known as ‘Strictly’, is the UK’s most popular ballroom dance reality show. It first aired in 2004 on BBC One and has since become a national phenomenon. The show is hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman and features celebrities paired with professional dancers, competing to be crowned Strictly Champion.
The show is a combination of competitive ballroom and Latin dancing, with a panel of judges awarding the couples points for their performances. The couples are judged on their technical ability, performance, and artistic impression.
The show is known for its glitz and glamour, with contestants wearing dazzling costumes and performing to a live studio audience. It has become a Saturday night staple in many households, and is always a ratings hit, with millions of viewers tuning in every week.
Previous Winners
Previous winners of Strictly Come Dancing include actor Harry Judd, singer Alesha Dixon, and athlete Louis Smith. The show has also seen some famous faces, such as singer Will Young, actor Colin Jackson, and fashion designer Julien Macdonald.
Celebrity Judges
The celebrity judges on Strictly Come Dancing have included Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and Shirley Ballas. They provide the contestants with expert advice and critique their performances.
Final
The Strictly Come Dancing final is always an exciting event, with the couples performing their best dances in an attempt to be crowned Strictly Champion. The show culminates in a spectacular finale, with the winning couple taking home the glitterball trophy.
2. Britain’s Got Talent
2. Britain’s Got Talent
Britain’s Got Talent is a popular reality TV show hosted by Ant & Dec that has been running since 2007. Contestants perform a wide range of acts, including ballroom dancing. The show has seen some of the country’s greatest ballroom dancers take to the stage during its run, including some of the most successful dancers in the world.
The show has been credited with introducing ballroom dancing to a whole new audience, as well as inspiring young people to take up the art form. It has also provided a platform for some of the greatest ballroom dancers in the UK to showcase their talents.
Notable Contestants
Some of the most memorable contestants on Britain’s Got Talent have been ballroom dancers. These include:
• Ashley Banjo – the leader of the dance troupe Diversity, Ashley won the show in 2009 with his partner, Perri Kiely.
• Pasha Kovalev – the Russian-born dancer made it to the final in 2011 with his partner, Rachel Riley.
• Stavros Flatley – the father-son duo made it to the final in 2009 with their unique blend of ballroom and Greek dancing.
Judges
The judging panel for Britain’s Got Talent has included some of the biggest names in the ballroom dancing world. These include:
• Len Goodman – the former Strictly Come Dancing judge has been a judge on Britain’s Got Talent since its inception.
• Bruno Tonioli – the Italian-born dancer and choreographer joined the judging panel in 2011.
• Craig Revel Horwood – the Strictly Come Dancing judge joined the panel in 2013.
• Darcey Bussell – the former Royal Ballet principal joined the panel in 2019.
3. So You Think You Can Dance?
3. So You Think You Can Dance?
So You Think You Can Dance? is a popular British reality television show that has been running for over a decade. It is a competition for aspiring dancers, who compete against each other in a variety of styles, including ballroom, Latin, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop. The show is judged by a panel of professional dancers and choreographers, and the winner is decided through a combination of audience votes and the judges’ scores.
The Contestants
The contestants on So You Think You Can Dance? are usually aged between 16 and 25, and they come from all over the UK. They are chosen from a variety of backgrounds, including street dancers, ballroom dancers, and those with no previous experience.
The Judges
The judging panel consists of a number of professional dancers and choreographers who have experience in the world of ballroom and Latin dance. The judges provide constructive criticism and feedback to the contestants, and ultimately decide who will be crowned the winner of the show.
The Prize
The winner of So You Think You Can Dance? receives a cash prize and the opportunity to perform in a professional dance show. The show has also launched the careers of many successful dancers, who have gone on to perform in the West End and on tour.
4. Dancing on Ice
4. Dancing on Ice
Dancing on Ice is a popular British show that has been running since 2006. The show is a skating competition in which celebrities are partnered with professional skaters and compete against each other in a series of performances. The show is judged by a panel of experts and the audience can also vote for their favourite performances.
The show has been a hit with viewers, with over 10 million viewers tuning in for the first series. It has also gone on to become an international success, with versions of the show being broadcast in countries such as the USA and Australia.
Style of Dancing
The style of dancing on Dancing on Ice is a mixture of ice skating and ballroom dancing. The couples perform a variety of moves such as lifts, spins and jumps, which are all set to music. As well as the traditional ballroom dancing styles, the show also features elements of contemporary and Latin dance.
Notable Winners
The show has seen some notable winners over the years, including Olympic gold medallist Jayne Torvill and former footballer Gareth Thomas. Other winners have included Ray Quinn, Suzanne Shaw and Beth Tweddle.
Celebrity Judges
The show has featured a variety of celebrity judges over the years, including Robin Cousins, Karen Barber, Louie Spence and Ashley Roberts. The judges provide comments and advice to the contestants, as well as scoring their performances.
5. Let’s Dance for Sport Relief
5. Let’s Dance for Sport Relief
Let’s Dance for Sport Relief is the BBC’s flagship fundraising event which brings celebrities together to compete in a ballroom dancing competition. The show was first aired in 2010 and has since become a regular fixture on the BBC’s schedule.
The show is broadcast live from the BBC’s studios in Elstree and is presented by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. Each year, celebrities from all walks of life are paired with professional ballroom dancers to compete in a variety of ballroom and Latin dances.
The show is split into two parts. The first half consists of the celebrities performing their routines, while the second half is a public vote. The couple with the most votes at the end of the night is crowned the winner.
The money raised by Let’s Dance for Sport Relief is used to support people living in poverty in the UK and around the world.
Notable Winners
The show has had some memorable winners over the years, including:
• 2010: Joe Swash & Ola Jordan
• 2011: Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani
• 2012: Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev
• 2013: Abbey Clancy & Aljaž Škorjanec
• 2014: Simon Webbe & Kristina Rihanoff
• 2015: Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani
• 2016: Ore Oduba & Joanne Clifton
• 2017: Joe Sugg & Dianne Buswell
• 2018: Stacey Dooley & Kevin Clifton
• 2019: Karim Zeroual & Amy Dowden
6. Dance Dance Dance
6. Dance Dance Dance
Overview
Dance Dance Dance is a reality show which first aired in the UK in 2016. It is based on the Dutch show of the same name and is produced by ITV Studios. The show features celebrities competing against each other in a variety of ballroom and Latin dances.
Judges
The show is judged by a panel of three judges: Ashley Banjo, Kimberly Wyatt and Louie Spence. The judges give feedback on the performances and decide who will be crowned the winner of each episode.
Format
The format of the show is similar to other dance reality shows. Each episode features a different celebrity couple competing against each other. The couples are required to learn and perform a different ballroom and Latin dance each week. The judges then decide who will be crowned the winner of the episode.
Winners
The winners of the first series of Dance Dance Dance were singer Aston Merrygold and his partner Janette Manrara. The second series was won by actress Kimberley Wyatt and her partner Pasha Kovalev.
Conclusion
Dance Dance Dance is a popular reality show that has been running in the UK since 2016. It is a great way for celebrities to show off their dancing skills and compete against each other. The show has also been a great success with viewers, with millions tuning in each week.
7. DanceX
7. DanceX
DanceX is a popular ballroom dance reality show that has been broadcast in the UK since 2006. The show follows a group of amateur dancers as they compete against each other in a series of elimination rounds. Each week, the dancers must perform a different dance style in order to stay in the competition and be in with a chance of winning the grand prize.
The show is hosted by a panel of judges, who provide critique and feedback to the dancers. The judges are usually professional dancers or choreographers, and are usually joined by a celebrity guest judge.
The show has featured a number of different dance styles, including Latin, Standard, and Ballroom. It has also featured a number of different themes, such as themed weeks, celebrity guest judges, and special performances.
The show has been a hit with viewers, and has seen a number of successful contestants go on to become professional dancers. It has also been credited with helping to raise the profile of ballroom dancing in the UK.
Notable Contestants
The show has featured a number of notable contestants, including:
• Ashley Banjo, who went on to win the show in 2006 and become a professional dancer
• Strictly Come Dancing champion Jay McGuiness
• Professional dancer and choreographer Louie Spence
• Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson
• World Latin Dance champion Natalie Lowe
• Latin American champion Pasha Kovalev
• World Standard Dance champion Karen Hardy
8. Dance to the Music
8. Dance to the Music
The music is an essential part of any ballroom dance show, and the UK has some of the best music for ballroom dancing. From classic swing and salsa tunes to modern EDM and hip-hop bangers, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of the most popular ballroom dance reality shows in the UK that feature music:
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is the UK’s longest-running and most popular ballroom dance show. It features a mix of classic ballroom and Latin tunes, as well as modern pop hits. The show’s judges are known for their discerning taste in music and often make suggestions to the contestants about which songs to dance to.
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the UK version of the popular US show. It follows a similar format, with couples competing for the title of ‘Dancing with the Stars Champion’. The show features a mix of classic and contemporary music from around the world.
So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance is a reality show that focuses on the competitive side of ballroom dancing. Contestants are judged on their technical ability and performance, and the show features a variety of music genres, from jazz and hip-hop to classical and folk.
Dance Moms
Dance Moms is a reality show that follows the lives of young dancers and their mothers. The show features a mix of musical styles, from classical to pop, and the music is often used to highlight the drama of the show.
Dance Academy
Dance Academy is a reality show that follows the lives of aspiring dancers as they compete for a place in the Royal Academy of Dance. The show features a mix of classical and modern music, and the judges often pick songs to highlight the contestants’ technical abilities.
Britain’s Got Talent
Britain’s Got Talent is a popular talent show that features a variety of acts, including ballroom dancers. The show features a mix of popular and classical music, and the judges often pick songs to highlight the contestants’ performances.
Dancing on Ice
Dancing on Ice is a popular reality show that follows the lives of celebrity ice skaters. The show features a mix of classical and modern music, and the judges often pick songs to highlight the contestants’ technical abilities.
Dance Dance Revolution
Dance Dance Revolution is a popular dance game show that features a mix of popular and classical music. Contestants compete to dance to the beat of the music, and the judges often pick songs to highlight the contestants’ technical abilities.
9. Dance Off
9. Dance Off
Dance Off is a British television series that first aired on BBC Three in 2009. It follows the lives of a group of dancers as they compete in competitions across the UK. The show focuses on the drama and excitement that comes with the life of a dancer, as well as the hard work and dedication that goes into becoming a successful ballroom dancer.
The show has featured some of the most talented and renowned ballroom dancers in the UK, including Strictly Come Dancing professionals Robin Windsor, Joanne Clifton and Ian Waite. It also included guest appearances from professional dancers such as Anton du Beke and Brendan Cole.
Dance Off has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the ballroom dancing world, and it has been credited with helping to increase the popularity of the sport in the UK. The show has also seen a number of successful spin-offs, such as the celebrity dance competition ‘Dance Off: The Ultimate Challenge’.
Notable Contestants
Notable contestants on Dance Off include:
• Robin Windsor, professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing
• Joanne Clifton, professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing
• Ian Waite, professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing
• Anton du Beke, professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing
• Brendan Cole, professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing
• Anya Garnis, professional dancer on So You Think You Can Dance
• Pasha Kovalev, professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing
• Karen Hauer, professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing
• Brian Fortuna, professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing
• Vincent Simone, professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing
10. Dance Mums UK
10. Dance Mums UK
Dance Mums UK is a British reality television series that follows the lives of several competitive dance mums and their daughters as they compete in dance competitions. The show follows the mums as they attempt to balance their lives as mothers and as dance coaches, and to help their daughters reach their full potential.
The series was first aired in 2014 and has been broadcast on Lifetime UK. It has been praised for its honest and realistic portrayal of the pressures and challenges of being a dance mum.
Notable Cast Members
The show has featured a number of notable cast members, including:
– Joanne Clifton, a professional dancer and former Strictly Come Dancing champion.
– Michelle and her daughter, Mia, who have been competing together since Mia was just four years old.
– Kelly and her daughter, Lily, who have been competing together since Lily was three.
– Gemma and her daughter, Ella, who have been competing together since Ella was five.
Notable Competitions
The show has featured a number of notable competitions, including:
– The British National Championships
– The British Open Championships
– The UK Open Championships
– The European Championships
– The World Championships
Dance Mums UK has become a popular show in Britain, and has been credited with helping to raise the profile of competitive ballroom dancing in the UK.
