(Tracey Lange &
Chris Jaftha)
Early in 2018, M-Net 101 will be adding yet another
spectacular show to its sizzling Sunday night line-up. The channel has
confirmed that, with the help of highly skilled professional Latin and Ballroom
dancers, 12 untrained local celebrities will be putting their best foot forward
to compete in a proudly South African version of the BBC Worldwide format Dancing With The Stars.
This glamorous, body-twisting, fox-trotting,
cha-cha-cha-rrific extravaganza will be broadcast live from the very first
episode on February 4, 2018.
Even though M-Net is keeping the identity under wraps for
now of the six male and six female celebs, as well as the professional dancers
and esteemed judging panel, the names of the two presenters have been made
public. The South African version of the hit series, which has been licensed to
over 50 countries around the world, will be co-hosted by bubbly radio and
television presenter Tracey Lange and suave musical theatre actor and model,
Chris Jaftha.
“M-Net is leaping with excitement about creating this
glitzy, classy and fun show for the enjoyment of our viewers,” says M-Net’s
Head of Publicity Lani Lombard. “Dancing
With The Stars oozes all of the glamour, drama, and magical moments that
M-Net 101 has become known for and Tracey and Chris are the perfect pair to
host the fast-paced live broadcasts.
“They are both seasoned professionals who love the razzle
dazzle of showbiz. But they are also witty and sassy and have a wonderful
on-screen chemistry that will make everyone feel at home."
As a radio presenter, Tracey has a decade’s experience
behind the microphone under her belt. She currently hosts her hugely popular
radio show on Heart FM, and has been a presenter on kykNET’s magazine show Bravo! for the past three years. Chris
Jaftha is also no stranger to the limelight. Amongst his accolades, Chris has
been voted as Mzansi’s Sexiest Man and is a seasoned model, dancer, musical
theatre performer and actor who has been in the business for over ten years.
“I can't begin to describe my excitement at the thought of
being part of a show of this stature,” Tracey raves. “Hosting Dancing With The Stars SA is better
than a dream come true and I feel that it's made for me: a show that entertains
and allows us to make people happy through the magic of dance. Viewers will
also get to glimpse a side of our favourite local celebrities that we never get
to see.”
Chris shares his co-host’s sentiments: “I’m thrilled to be a
part of what is to be a first for M-Net and a format that has entertained
audiences across the globe for years. I still don’t think we’ve grasped how big
it’s going to be! And I can’t wait to be working with my co-host Tracey Lange.”
Dancing With The Stars
SA is produced for M-Net by the multi-award winning Rapid Blue and will be
broadcast live on M-Net channel 101 from February 2018. But which celebrities
will be gracing the gleaming dance floor? All M-Net is willing to reveal at
this stage is that they come from different backgrounds and have become famous
for conquering the worlds of acting, comedy, sport and television.
The popular dance competition was licensed to M-Net by BBC
Worldwide. Joel Churcher, Vice President and General Manager for BBC Worldwide,
Africa said: “Dancing With The Stars
is one of the most successful international television formats in the world and
has been licensed to over 50 countries from Sweden to Brazil. We are thrilled
to be able to take our biggest global format to a large South African audience
through this new agreement with M-Net, the perfect home for the most glitzy and
glamorous competition on television which is sure to take SA by storm.”
In addition to Dancing
With The Stars SA, M-Net is also producing another season of Survivor SA in 2018. For more
information about M-Net’s impressive new local slate, visit www.mnet.tv
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