Strictly Come Dancing to train ‘real-life heroes’ for new BBC series

The People’s Strictly invites friends and family to nominate members of public to take part in runup to Comic Relief
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Strictly Come Dancing 2014
It remains to be seen if members of the public are better or worse at ballroom dancing than the celebrities on Strictly Come Dancing. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PA

Strictly Come Dancing professionals are to put a sparkle into the lives of members of the public by training them to strut their stuff for a new BBC series.

Friends and family are being asked to nominate inspirational, everyday figures to be part of the BBC1 show, called The People’s Strictly, which will be screened next year in the run-up to Comic Relief.

The four-part series will follow six people as they receive four weeks of training and eventually show off their new-found skills to the nation – and the Strictly judges – in the famous ballroom studio.

Channel controller Charlotte Moore said: “BBC1 is the TV home of ballroom dancing so where better to see deserving, real-life heroes and heroines experience the sparkling joy of Strictly, and all for such a great cause in Comic Relief.”

Kevin Cahill, Comic Relief’s chief executive, said: “Having watched well-known faces go through the heart-warming journey on Strictly I can’t wait to see members of the public having this amazing opportunity. It mixes fun and fundraising in equal measure.”

The programme will be screened ahead of the biennial Red Nose Day in March.

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