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Cat Deeley is coming to Ö÷²¥´óÐã One to host So You Think You Can Dance in January 2010. Now presenting her fifth season of the hugely-successful series in the US, she returns with Nigel Lythgoe to present the award-winning format for the first time in Britain.

Originally known as the host of SMTV: live, double-BAFTA award-winning Cat has since carved out an enviable transatlantic career including being Jay Leno's first regular entertainment correspondent on the Tonight Show and subsequently performing the same role for Good Morning America.

Along with Nigel and Arlene Phillips, a rotating third panellist will complete the line-up each week to find Britain's Favourite Dancer while Cat keeps the proceedings moving along.

She will be getting to work immediately, with national auditions kicking off in London this week. At each venue she'll be on hand to meet the talent vying to impress the judges for a place first in the top 100 and then the live, Saturday night shows.

Cat says: "So You Think You Can Dance has been a phenomenon in the US and I have been incredibly proud to be a part of it.

"I cannot wait to bring this show to the UK as I know the audiences will be as wild about it as they are in the States.

"Part of the appeal has always been discovering new talent and giving gifted dancers a platform to show off their extraordinary skills – being on that journey with them makes this the best job in the world.

"The fact that I'm now coming home to present So You Think You Can Dance in the UK is about as good as it gets."

Nigel Lythgoe says: "When we made the decision to bring Cat on to the US version of So You Think You Can Dance, I knew she would win over our audiences because she is so beautiful and yet identifiable.

"She continues to charm the fans because her affection and concern for our dancers is so genuine and sincere; she possesses a rare quality of charm and vulnerability that is sexy and smart. I have no doubt UK audiences will feel the same."

About So You Think You Can Dance

Dancers from all disciplines are invited to participate in nationwide auditions which are now underway. Both amateur and professional are welcome – the only criteria are talent, personality and passion. The successful finalists will travel to London where they will compete for their place in weekly, live shows at Television Centre.

The series winner will receive a cash prize of £100,000 plus a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hollywood where they will get to perform live on the US version of the show.

But, in order to get there, competitors will be pushed right out of their comfort zones. Each week they'll be challenged to different styles of dance like hip hop, jazz, Broadway, lyrical and contemporary with a new routine taught by a different choreographer and mentor. And it won't be just the judges they have to impress: viewers will have the ultimate power to vote for their favourite dancer at the end of each live show.

So You Think You Can Dance was created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe, and originally produced by 19 Entertainment Ltd. and Dick Clark Productions, inc. So You Think You Can Dance in the UK will be a co-production between Ö÷²¥´óÐã in-house Entertainment and 19 Productions.

Interested applicants should visit www.bbc.co.uk/tv/comingup/soyouthinkyoucandance/ to download an application pack, audition schedule and terms and conditions.

SM4/EB

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