Channel 4 Waltzes Off With La La Land-Influenced Dating Format Flirty Dancing
The rise of dating apps such as Tinder and Bumble has meant that fewer people are getting together o..
The rise of dating apps such as Tinder and Bumble has meant that fewer people are getting together on the dancefloor. However, British broadcaster Channel 4 is looking to reverse this with a new La La Land-influenced entertainment format produced by All3Media-backed indie Second Star.
The broadcaster has commissioned Flirty Dancing (w/t), a five-part series that offers a new twist on two genres, dating and dancing. The format will see Dancing On Ice judge and Britains Got Talent winner Ashley Banjo play cupid using his skills as a choreographer to bring people together through the art of dance.
Two complete strangers will be taught one half of a dance routine and then will go on a date where they have to dance. Once the couples have completed their dance date, they will part still not yet having spoken a word to each other, but will hope that they have done enough to warrant a second date.
The show is produced by Second Star, run by former Sky exec Deborah Sargeant, which is part of All3Medias Objective Media Group. It was ordered by Channel 4 Entertainment and Factual Entertainment Commissioning Editor Sarah Lazenby and is exec produced by Sargeant and Andrew Burgess and produced by Ami Jackson.
Lazenby said, “Inspired by the evocative atmosphere of La La Land, we want to recapture the magic and romance of the dancehall days when you could be swept off your feet rather than being swept left or right. We are delighted that Ashley Banjo is coming to Channel 4 with this warm and charming series that sees couples brought together through the art of dance.”
Ashley Banjo added, “Dance exposes your true self – you cant hide behind words or an outfit. Back in the good old days, three quarters of people met their partners on a dancefloor. I met my wife dancing; we really connected and got to know each other in dance class. There was a chemistry that I dont think would have been created sitting across from each other at a table and just talking. I want to bring a bit of old-fashioned romance back to dating – the magic that can be created without a word being spoken.”
