Dancer Sonja Stanford and rugby player James Dalton share a humorous moment during their training on Strictly Come Dancing.

Celebrities putting best feet forward in new reality show

Sport, soap stars will be putting on the dance moves, writes Leon Muston

IN recent times a number of successful international television series have been adapted for South African audiences. Some, such as The Weakest Link and Who Wants to be a Millionaire, worked very well, while others, like Walk the Plank, weren�t as well received.

Other South Africanised versions of international hits have included Idols, Big Brother, Fear Factor and Feel Good Challenge (loosely based on The Amazing Race).

The latest addition to this line-up is Strictly Come Dancing, a programme which South African audiences have been able to watch recently on BBC Prime.

The British version is hosted by Bruce Forsyth, assisted by Tess Daly and a set of judges, who rate the dancers.

Contestants have ranged from England rugby player Martin Offiah, athlete Denise Lewis, cricketer Darren Gough and several soap opera actors and breakfast television hosts.

Now SABC2 is launching its own version, which will be hosted by entertainer Ian von Memerty and model Sandy Ngema.

Eight celebrity contestants are paired up with professional dancers and then rated on their ability by the judges, although in the end it�s the public vote which decides which pair will be eliminated each week.

In similar fashion to Idols programmes, the sympathy vote often helps weaker contestants through, particularly if the public feels the person has been unfairly picked on by the judges.

Here�s a quick guide to the eight celebrities who will attempt to win the South African edition:

� Michelle Garforth, the popular blonde television presenter, was most recently seen on the nature programme Wild Ltd, but most viewers will remember her stints on Morning Live and Top Billing.

� Zuraida Jardine is best known for her radio work on 5fm, where she presents the 10pm show on weekdays.

� Baby Jake Matlala is one of South Africa�s best-known boxers, having held world titles on four occasions.

He won the IBA flyweight, WBU flyweight and WBU junior flyweight titles in a career that spanned 30 years.

� Ashifashabba, aka Shonisani Muleya, has his own sitcom on SABC2.

� Claudia Henkel was Miss South Africa in 2004/05 and is studying law at the University of Pretoria.

� Florence Masebe is a soap opera actress who has appeared in Muvhango and also hosts a radio talk show on 702.

� Rugby player James Dalton played 43 tests for the Springboks between 1994 and 2002.

� Zwai Bala was born in Uitenhage and shot to fame with kwaito group TK-Zee.

The celebrities will be paired up with dancers Harold van Buuren, Michael Wentink, Mary Martin, Tselane Mokete, Brandon Eilers, Kagiso Ntseane, Sonja Stanford and Kego Motshabi.

The judging panel comprises Salome Machele, Tyrone Watkins, Lillan Phororo and Dave Campbell.

The couples will dance to live big band music at the Carlton Hotel Ballroom in Johannesburg, and will have to master the Viennese waltz, tango, foxtrot, quickstep, rumba, samba, jive, paso doble and the cha cha.\

� SABC 2, 8pm today

Switchon