The embarrassment of being cheated on by her husband made Alesha Dixon vow to keep her private life private, now she's happy to tell how she's moved on

This all sounds very familiar. Alesha Dixon is talking about her new TV gig, at the helm of a ‘feelgood’ primetime celebrity dancing show which mixes nostalgia with slick production content, and has a judging panel that takes no prisoners. Blimey! 

Has she swiped Tess Daly’s job? Or is she about to slide into Len Goodman’s recently vacated seat on Strictly? 

Well, no. Quite the opposite in fact. This version is a rival, on ITV, and everyone involved is at pains to point out it’s a completely different product to the entertainment juggernaut that is Strictly Come Dancing.

‘Strictly is about ballroom, but that’s just one type of dance,’ says Alesha, obviously a little pained at the inevitable comparisons. 

‘This show celebrates other formats – street dancing, contemporary, lyrical dance. It’s fresh and exciting. And it takes people on a trip down memory lane too.’

Well, it’s only a relatively short lane, given that the show, called Dance Dance Dance, revolves heavily around the music video. 


The format is Dutch and the show, pre-recorded in Amsterdam, is co-hosted by Alesha and former MTV presenter Will Best. 

Each week celebrity contestants, paired with the partner of their choice be it husband, wife or best friend, are challenged to re-create an iconic music video (think Michael Jackson’s Thriller).

They’ll be judged by a panel of three – Ashley Banjo, who created Britain’s Got Talent-winning dance crew Diversity, plus top choreographers Tina Landon and Timor Steffens, who between them have worked with everyone from Michael Jackson and Britney Spears to Rihanna and Beyoncé – who will decide which celebrity goes home.