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Rufus Hound and Katy Brand are the first two acts to hot foot their way into the final of Let's Dance For Sport Relief, following their glittering performances in the first show of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One series.

Presenters Claudia Winkleman and Steve Jones announced that the viewers had chosen Rufus Hound as their favourite, the first act to win a place in the final on Saturday 13 March, after he performed a spectacular homage to Cheryl Cole's Fight For This Love.

Runners-up Katy Brand and the cast of Holby City and Casualty then faced the three panellists, who decided which act would win the second place in the final after their performances of Beyonce's Single Lady and Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire) respectively.

Panellist Frank Skinner voted for Katy Brand, Jason Manford voted for the cast of Holby City, leaving the deciding vote to Kimberley Walsh, who voted for Katy Brand.

When asked, following Rufus Hound's performance, whether she felt it was like having Cheryl in the room, Kimberley Walsh said: "I cannot believe how perfect some of the moves were. I was so impressed. You did an amazing job and I'm sure Cheryl would have loved it too."

Frank Skinner said to Rufus: "It's not easy to look good in harem pants and I don't envy the other competitors because that was just the best most brilliant start. I loved it!"

Jason Manford said to Rufus: "You've been doing that dance anyway and this show came along at just the right time. Not a coincidence or anything! You were just brilliant. I thought it was great!"

Rufus Hound said: "I wanted you (the audience) to enjoy it and the fact that anybody voted is really great, so thank you."

Following her amazing performance, and mention of her dedicated and focused rehearsals, Katy Brand said: "I thought I'm really going to have to get my head down and get some of this right otherwise I'm going to look like a total idiot, so I thought I'd better come in and do my homework!"

Viewers' favourite Rufus Hound then closed the show with one more rendition of Fight For This Love.

Tonight's show was the first of three heats and saw Holby City's Rosie Marcel and Luke Roberts, Casualty's Charles Dale, Tony Marshall and Ben Turner (Jai Ho, Slumdog Millionaire), Olympians Mark Foster, Iwan Thomas, Leon Taylor, Dalton Grant, Heather Fell and Jamie Baulch (Vogue, Madonna), news presenters Matt Barbet, Ellie Crisell and Louise Minchin (Kiss Of Fire, Tango) and darts and snooker legends Bobby George, Tony O'Shea, Dennis Taylor and Willie Thorne (Walk This Way, Run DMC) eliminated.

There were also performances from JLS, who performed their single, You Only Get One Shot, and Sugababes, who performed their latest track, Wear My Kiss.

Next week, six more celebrity contestants will take to the floor in a bid to wow viewers with iconic dance routines and win a place in the final of Let's Dance For Sport Relief.

Notes to Editors

Further information is available at www.sportrelief.com. Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).

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