BBC puts aside rivalry with Cowell for new TV dance show

THEY have been bitter rivals on the Saturday night light entertainment battlefield for many years.

But the BBC has now enlisted the help of Simon Cowell to produce a new dance talent show.

The partnership will mark the first foray into public service broadcasting for Syco, Cowell’s entertainment company responsible for The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

The show, to be called The Greatest Dancer, is expected to air next year and BBC bosses hope it will fill the void when Strictly Come Dancing is off air.

A pilot filmed earlier this year starred Cheryl, the singer who sat alongside Cowell as a judge on The X Factor.

If she is signed up, it would mark a comeback to prime time TV for Cheryl, 34, who left the talent show in 2016 and has since had a baby with Liam Payne, the One Direction singer.

Britain’s Got Talent’s Alesha Dixon and dancer Jordan Banjo hosted the pilot, while Glee’s Matthew Morrison and Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse were mentors.

Nigel Hall, Syco’s global head of television, said: “The auditions for the pilot episode were some of the most jawdropping, heartfelt and moving auditions I’ve ever seen on a dance show.

“There were some spectacular moments and we are beyond thrilled to have secured this commission.

“We look forward to working with the BBC team on something just a little bit special.”

The show will be co-produced by Thames, the entertainment arm of Fremantlemedia UK, which described the format as “full of heart.”

It will comprise of eight one-hour episodes on BBC One.