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Johannesburg - On Sunday M-Net will whizz viewers off to a glitzy set and gleaming dance floor for the first live broadcast of its much anticipated new reality show extravaganza, Dancing With The Stars SA.
The channel has already revealed which 12 celebrities will cha-cha, jive and tango their way into the hearts of the voting public. But which professional dancers will pair up with these stars to put their best foot forward? And who are the esteemed panel of judges whose scores will count 50% towards the outcome of the competition?
Earlier this month M-Net announced that international dance champion, renowned reality show judge, choreographer to A-list stars, creative director of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and BAFTA nominee Jason Gilkinson signed up to bring his expertise to Dancing With The Stars SA.
Jason will be joined by legends of the local dance fraternity and the two divas of the dance floor: 'SA’s Queen of Dance' Tebogo Kgobokoe and teacher extraordinaire Debbie Turner, who will bring their years of experience, unique style and sharp comments to the show.
“We are honoured that high-in-demand experts like Jason, Tebogo and Debbie have agreed to be part of Dancing With The Stars SA,” says M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard. “There will also be a fourth judge whose credentials will add gravitas to the show and the dancers have been handpicked to bring on pizzazz, personality and perfect moves. It promises to be an extravaganza of note!”
Great news! @Tebogo_Kgobokoe and @DturnerDebbie are joining @JasonGilkison as judges on #DWTSSA! Details here ---> https://t.co/75u5g4vIn1 pic.twitter.com/6qzY4cAz1c
— M-Net (@MNet) January 30, 2018
Tebogo, who is known for her unique flair and eye for technique, is a well-known Latin and ballroom champion. She is also an acclaimed coach, choreographer and international adjudicator. Raised as a traditional dancer in the North-West Province, Tebogo has since become a 10-time winner of the South African Professional Latin and Ballroom Championship and seven-time winner of the South African Professional Latin American Championship. With a passion for development and teaching, Tebogo launched the Tebogo Kgobokoe Arts Academy to foster local dance talent.
Debbie launched the Cape Academy of Performing Arts and is the founding Artistic Director of the renowned Cape Dance Company. With a background in competitive Latin, ballroom and neo-classical dance, Debbie has studied and worked with world-famous teachers and choreographers. She starred in lead roles in international productions that include Cats, Dirty Dancing and The Lion King. Debbie is a passionate teacher and visionary, who has gone on to become a key figure in South African dance training.
Both Tebogo and Debbie are thrilled to be part of M-Net’s first season of Dancing With The Stars. "I love dance in all its guises and genres, and so look forward to the theatrical fun and excitement of it all," Debbie says. "Seeing celebrities working in other professions introduced and exposed to competitive dance in this wonderful way will be the highlight for me."
The series, in which 12 untrained local celebrities compete for the favour of the judges and voting public with the help of highly skilled professional Latin and Ballroom dancers, will run on M-Net (DStv 101) for 12 weeks, starting on Sunday, 4 February at 17:00.
Eliminations will take place from the third episode. To vote for your favourite pair, register on mnet.tv/dwtssavote
READ NEXT: Here's how to register to vote for M-Net’s Dancing with the Stars SA
