The first season of ‘Dancing With The Stars South Africa’ was won by Marcella Solimeo and Connell Cruise. Picture: X.
After more than four years, “Dancing with the Stars South Africa” is finally getting a second season.
The BBC recently announced that Primedia Studios signed a licence agreement with their studios-owned production company Rapid Blue, to bring the multi-award-winning format back to South Africa.
“The revitalised South African audiences will see A-list local celebrities teaming up with professional dancers to learn, master and perform Latin and ballroom routines and be judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts,” they said in a statement.
A release date as well as the show’s hosts, judging panel and contestants are yet to be announced.
Primedia Studios president Jan du Plessis added: “Primedia Studios is delighted to be joining forces with esteemed and prolific production company Rapid Blue, which also produced the country’s previous spectacular and much-loved local edition of ‘Dancing with the Stars’.
“We are incredibly proud to add this global phenomenon to our Primedia Studios fantastic ‘shiny floor’ content slate. It underlines our quest to bring the biggest and best international formats to mass South African audiences.”
Rapid Blue’s managing director, Ziyanda Ngcaba, said they are thrilled to see this worldwide hit programme return to South African screens.
“‘Dancing with the Stars’ has seen SA’s very own superstars performing and judging on versions across the world, with Oti Mabuse, Motsi Mabuse, Johannes Radebe, Keo Motsepe and Cameron Lombard showcasing South Africa’s immense dancing talent.
“It’s time to celebrate our local dancers, celebrities and love of dance. With the incredibly talented team at Primedia Studios, we will bring the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ sparkle back to South African homes.”
Apart from the local version, this year, “Dancing with the Stars” (also known as “Strictly Come Dancing”) will be produced in multiple countries, including US, the UK, Denmark, Spain, France, Germany and Italy, with the series recently returning to Telecinco in Spain.
As one of the Top 10 best-selling formats of all time, the show has won over 130 international awards and enthralled audiences on every continent except Antarctica.
In America, it has been an all-time favourite with 32 seasons and in Britain the series retains the number one entertainment show position as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
The debut season of “Dancing with the Stars South Africa” premiered on M-Net in February 2018. It was won by Marcella Solimeo and Connell Cruise, a singer-songwriter who signed the biggest recording deal in South African music history after being spotted by music legend L.A. Reid.
The rest of the celebrity contestants included former Miss South Africa and media Liesl Laurie, former Bafana Bafana footballer Delron Buckley, comedian and actor Ebenhaezer Dibakwane and “Suidooster” star Eden Classens.
They were joined by veteran actor Frank Opperman, actress and performer Juanita du Plessis, Odessa Swarts, who is the mother of Olympic runner Wayde van Niekerk, former Springbok Thando Manana, former “Our Perfect Wedding” host Thembisa Mdoda, SA National Netball team player Vanes-Mari du Toit and actress Zola Nombona.
It was hosted by Tracey Lange and Chris Jaftha with Jason Gilkison, Tebogo Kgobokoe and Debbie Turner as the judges.