Channel 4 Recommissions Flirty Dancing

Second Star’s Flirty Dancing, which debuted on the U.K.’s Channel 4 in January, has been recommissioned by the network and will see an hour-long celebrity Stand Up To Cancer special.

The 6×60-minute series will return to the channel in an earlier 8 p.m. time slot and will once again be hosted by Ashley Banjo. The show, which straddles the dating and dancing genres, follows two singles as they train separately with Banjo for a week and then meet to dance together for the first time, deciding after the performance if they should go on a second date.

The series was a ratings hit for the network, attracting an average of 888,000 viewers with a 6 percent share, an increase for the show’s 10 p.m. time slot. The series ranked first in the time slot amongst adults ages 16 to 34 and first among women ages 16 to 34. all3media international represents the format.

Banjo said, “I loved working with our singles last year, creating something special for each of them and watching the sparks fly. For me, the show provides an incredibly unique experience for people to meet through dance, and it is so rewarding (as well as nerve-racking!) to watch it all play out. I can’t wait to help create some romance for all our new hopeful daters.”

Sarah Lazenby, head of features and formats at Channel 4, said, “We’re delighted to be bringing the joy of Flirty Dancing back to Channel 4, at an earlier time slot so that all the family can enjoy the timeless romance it evokes. Curated, once again, by the warm-hearted giant Ashley Banjo, we hope this series will create some more rom-com magic for the small screen.”

Second Star Chief Creative Officer Deborah Sargeant added: “We are incredibly proud of this format—and of the production team who work so passionately to produce it—so we were thrilled that the first series was so warmly received. We can’t wait to get more couples dancing in the street this summer.”