Early in 2018, M-Net 101 will be adding yet another spectacular show to its sizzling Sunday night lineup. The channel has confirmed that, with the help of highly skilled professional Latin and ballroom dancers, 12 untrained local celebrities will be putting their best foot forward to compete in a proudly South African version of the BBC Worldwide format Dancing with the Stars.
This glamorous, body-twisting, fox-trotting, cha-cha-cha-rrific extravaganza will be broadcast live from the very first episode on Sunday 4 February 2018.
Even though M-Net is keeping the identity of the six male and six female celebs as well as the professional dancers and esteemed judging panel under wraps for now, the names of the two presenters have been made public. The South African version of the hit series, which has been licensed to over 50 countries around the world, will be co-hosted by bubbly radio and television presenter Tracey Lange and suave musical theatre actor and model, Chris Jaftha.
“M-Net is leaping with excitement about creating this glitzy, classy and fun show for the enjoyment of our viewers,” says M-Net’s Head of Publicity Lani Lombard. “Dancing with the Stars oozes all of the glamour, drama, and magical moments that M-Net 101 has become known for and Tracey and Chris are the perfect pair to host the fast-paced live broadcasts.”
“They are both seasoned professionals who love the razzle-dazzle of showbiz. But they are also witty and sassy and have a wonderful on-screen chemistry that will make everyone feel at home.”
As a radio presenter, Tracey has a decade’s experience behind the microphone under her belt. She currently hosts her hugely popular radio show on Heart FM, and has been a presenter on kykNET’s magazine show Bravo! for the past three years. Chris Jaftha is also no stranger to the limelight. Amongst his accolades, Chris has been voted as Mzansi’s Sexiest Man and is a seasoned model, dancer, musical theatre performer and actor who has been in the business for over ten years.
“I can’t begin to describe my excitement at the thought of being part of a show of this stature,” Tracey raves. “Hosting Dancing with the Stars SA is better than a dream come true and I feel that it’s made for me: a show that entertains and allows us to make people happy through the magic of dance. Viewers will also get to glimpse a side of our favourite local celebrities that we never get to see.”
Chris shares his co-host’s sentiments: “I’m thrilled to be a part of what is to be a first for M-Net and a format that has entertained audiences across the globe for years. I still don’t think we’ve grasped how big it’s going to be! And I can’t wait to be working with my co-host Tracey Lange.”
Dancing with the Stars SA is produced for M-Net by the multi-award winning Rapid Blue and will be broadcast live on M-Net channel 101 from February 2018. But which celebrities will be gracing the gleaming dance floor? All M-Net is willing to reveal at this stage is that they come from different backgrounds and have become famous for conquering the worlds of acting, comedy, sport, and television.
The popular dance competition was licensed to M-Net by BBC Worldwide. Joel Churcher, Vice President and General Manager for BBC Worldwide, Africa said: “Dancing with the Stars is one of the most successful international television formats in the world and has been licensed to over 50 countries from Sweden to Brazil. We are thrilled to be able to take our biggest global format to a large South African audience through this new agreement with M-Net, the perfect home for the most glitzy and glamorous competition on television which is sure to take SA by storm.”
