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Nigel Lythgoe is returning to British shores to find the nation's hottest dancing talent on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One with the award-winning So You Think You Can Dance.

Fresh from five seasons of the hit show in the US, Lythgoe will take up his position as head judge on a panel of industry experts who will select finalists to compete for the title of Britain's Favourite Dancer this January.

Dancers from all disciplines are invited to participate in nationwide auditions which will take place during October.

Both amateurs and professionals are welcome – the only criteria are talent, personality and passion. The successful finalists will travel to London where they will compete for their place in weekly, live shows at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Television Centre.

The series winner will receive a cash prize of £100,000 plus a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hollywood where they will get to perform live on the US version of the show. But, in order to get there, competitors will be pushed right out of their comfort zones.

Each week they'll be challenged to different styles of dance like hip hop, jazz, Broadway, lyrical and contemporary with a new routine taught by a different choreographer and mentor.

And it won't be just the judges they have to impress – viewers will have the ultimate power to vote for their favourite dancer at the end of each live show.

Nigel Lythgoe, well known as "Nasty Nigel" for his acid tongue as resident tough judge on Popstars, says: "I began my career as a dancer on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ in the Sixties. Now, I'm back as a judge of dancers – I believe I've made a full circle back to television's home of dance here at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ. I couldn't have imagined that dance would become a global phenomenon that would ultimately be responsible for this, my very special homecoming. It's good to be home."

Nigel is thrilled to be joined by award-winning choreographer Arlene Phillips on the panel. No one knows more about dance and her work spans a range of musical, stage and screen credits. She was a regular panellist for six seasons of Strictly Come Dancing and says So You Think You Can Dance is a dancer's dream. This show can be the making of the artists competing in it. I've always supported dance talent and look forward to seeing the most promising developing before our eyes each week."

Jay Hunt, Controller of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One, is delighted: "I am thrilled that the channel that brings audiences Strictly Come Dancing will now also host the ultimate nationwide competition to find the UK's favourite dancer. It's an exciting addition to the Saturday night line-up."

So You Think You Can Dance was created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe, and originally produced by 19 Entertainment Ltd and dick clark productions, inc.

So You Think You Can Dance in the UK will be a co-production between ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ in-house entertainment and 19 Productions.

SM4/EB

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