Strictly Come Everything

‘WHEN the BBC unveils its winter and Christmas schedule, it’s normally just a case of photocopying last year’s and changing a few dates.

Roger by name…

But this year we have to say Auntie has really pushed the Blue Peter boat out and commissioned some innovative new programmes for our viewing pleasure.

On Christmas Day, for instance, we will be able to settle down and enjoy a special festive edition of Strictly Come Dancing, hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky.

On Boxing Day, we get to see former England footballer Paul Gascoigne taking part in Strictly Come Dancing On Ice.

We then get to watch Graham Norton present Strictly Dance Fever, in which amateurs compete for a £50,000 first prize.

And if we have not had enough of watching men in tight trousers tripping the light fantastic, Lesley Garrett will present a drama-documentary called The Waltz King, or Strictly Come Dancing In Vienna (as it is properly known).

However, Lorraine Heggessey, controller of BBC1, denies that the corporation is cashing in on the success of the original programme.

‘What we are trying to do is move it on,’ she tells the Independent.

‘Strictly Come Dancing On Ice is one version of moving it on and Strictly Dance Fever is another. Hopefully, we will keep moving it on and not flog it to death.’

After all, it would be completely out of character for the BBC to flog dead horses (or dead Only Fools And Horses, as it is known in Broadcasting House).

So, in the coming weeks we can look forward to Strictly Come Dancing For Children In Need, Strictly Come Dancing In Space and Strictly Come Lap-Dancing…’

Posted: 2nd, December 2004 | In: Uncategorized Comment | TrackBack | Permalink