Let's Sing and Dance

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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

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"

• 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"

• 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"

• 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

• 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"

• 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"

Heat 3 (5 March)

• Panellists: Jo Brand, John Bishop and Felix Dexter
• Performances:
  • The Wanted – "Gold Forever"
  • Jessie J – "Price Tag"

• 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 Spence
• Performances:
  • Plan B – "Writing's on the Wall"
  • Nicole Scherzinger – "Don't Hold Your Breath"

• Noel Fielding's Mighty Boosh comedy partner Julian Barratt appeared at the end of his performance as Heathcliff.

Series 4 (2012)

On 10 December 2011 it was confirmed the show was returning for another series. Steve Jones and Alex Jones continued to host the show which ran for 5 episodes from 18 February until 17 March 2012.

Heat 1 (18 February)

• Panellists: Greg Davies, Keith Lemon and Graham Norton
• Performances:
  • Jessie J – "Domino"
  • JLS – "Do You Feel What I Feel?"

Heat 2 (25 February)

• Panellists: Rufus Hound, Vic Reeves and Iain Lee
• Performances:
  • Ed Sheeran – "Drunk"
  • Alexandra Burke – "Elephant"

Heat 3 (3 March)

• Panellists: Katy Brand, Tim Minchin and Ed Byrne
• Performances:
  • Chris Isaak – "Great Balls of Fire"
  • Tinchy Stryder feat. Pixie Lott – "Bright Lights (Good Life)"

• David Hasselhoff featured in Mills and Murs' performance.

Heat 4 (10 March)

• Panellists: Russell Kane, Jo Brand and Lee Nelson
• Performances:
  • Will Young – "Losing Myself"
  • LMFAO – "Sorry for Party Rocking"/"Sexy and I Know It"

• Louie Spence featured at the end of Monahan's performance.

Final (17 March)

• Panellists: Frank Skinner, Arlene Phillips and Rhod Gilbert
• Performances:
  • Katy Perry – "Part of Me"
  • JLS – "Proud"

Series 5 (2013)

In 2013, the series reverted to three heats with six acts in the final. It ran from 16 February to 9 March.

Heat 1 (16 February)

• Panellists: Mel Giedroyc, Bradley Walsh and Tameka Empson
• ** Performances**:
  • Kimberley Walsh — "Defying Gravity"
  • The Script — "If You Could See Me Now"

• The Soap Stars consisted of Natalie Cassidy, Dean Gaffney, Claire Sweeney and Ricky Groves.
• Destiny's Dad consisted of Hal Cruttenden, Shaun Keaveny and Mark Dolan.

Heat 2 (23 February)

• Panellists: Lisa Riley, Jason Manford and Paloma Faith
• Performances:
  • Paloma Faith — "Black and Blue"
  • The cast of A Chorus Line — "One"

• Waterloo Road consisted of Victoria Bush, Tommy Knight, Carl Au, Rebecca Craven and Marlene Madenge.

Heat 3 (2 March)

• Panellists: Arlene Phillips, Greg James and Lee Mack
• Performances:
  • Nicole Scherzinger — "Boomerang"
  • Justin Bieber — "All Around the World"

• Boyzone's singer Keith 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.
• Twist and Pulse featured in Lee Nelson's routine.

Final (9 March)

• Panellists: Frank Skinner, Jo Brand and Greg Davies
• Performances:
  • Taylor Swift — "22"
  • Bruno Mars — "When I Was Your Man"

Series 6 (2017)

The sixth series, renamed Let's Sing and Dance for Comic Relief, was hosted by former The Great British Bake Off presenting duo Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.

The full episode line-ups were revealed on 28 February.

Heat 1 (4 March)

• Panellists: Katherine Ryan, Jo Brand & Frank Skinner
• Performances: Calum Scott ("Rhythm Inside") and Emeli Sandé ("Shakes")

Paul O'Grady was due to appear as a judge, but was forced to withdraw due to "personal reasons" and was replaced by Katherine Ryan

Heat 2 (11 March)

• Panellists: Claudia Winkleman, Adil Ray as Mr Khan and Russell Kane
• Performances: Louisa Johnson ("Best Behaviour") and Stepping Out

• Boys Allowed consists of Ben Ofoedu, Duncan James, Gareth Gates, Jon Lee and Ritchie Neville.
• Cast of Casualty and Holby City consists of Amanda Henderson, Chizzy Akudolu and Tony Marshall.
• The Chasers consists of Anne Hegerty, Jenny Ryan, Mark Labbett and Shaun Wallace.

Heat 3 (18 March)

• Panellists: Miranda Hart, Jennifer Saunders, Julian Clary and Tameka Empson
• Performances: Anne-Marie ("Ciao Adios")

• The One Show consists of Alex Riley, Angellica Bell, Dominic Littlewood, Iwan Thomas and Michelle Ackerley.

Final (25 March)

• Panellists: Rufus Hound, Katy Brand and Jason Manford
• Performances: Zara Larsson ("So Good") and Dua Lipa ("Be the One")

Ratings

Series 1

Series 2

Series 3

Series 4

Series 5

Series 6

: Overnight figure.

References

References

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27. French, Dan. (8 March 2010). "Simon Cowell gives Piers Morgan new high".
28. French, Dan. (15 March 2010). "Marsh's Morgan appearance draws 4m".
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34. Millar, Paul. (26 February 2012). "Good Saturday start for 'Pointless'".
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