LIVING’s new dance show with a difference, Diet on the Dancefloor, picks up on the current craze of dancing yourself fitter and slimmer, as ten participants all in need of losing weight, pair up with dance pro partners in a bid to boogie away the body fat. Sequins, sparkle, weight loss and emotional and physical bumps and bruises are all to be expected as they aspire to lose weight the fun, glamorous way, demonstrated and judged by Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Hardy, who waltzed Mark Ramprakash to victory, and Matthew Cutler, who partnered last year’s winner Alesha Dixon. The participants will be judged on fitness, technical style and panache but who will waltz away with the Diet on the Dancefloor 2008 crown?

Karen Hardy, judge and teacher said, “Dancing is one of the best ways to get fit and versus the monotony of the treadmill, definitely the most fun! The series will hopefully show everyone that this is the time to get up off the sofa and put those dancing shoes on.”

Each week, as they fight for the ultimate title of Diet on the Dancefloor Champion 2008, the contestants will have to learn a new dance each week, from Bollywood and Cha Cha Cha to the Salsa and Tango, and perform it in front of the judges; Karen, Matthew and top Sports Physician Dr Catherine Spencer-Smith. The participants will be judged not just solely on their technique and style of the dance, as well as a weekly ‘lift and hold’, but also their improving fitness, weight loss and how they carry off their sensational dance outfits. The three judges will be on hand to teach new steps, holds and dances and leading UK Sports Physician Dr Catherine Spencer-Smith will try and transform every aspect of the contributor’s diets and lifestyles in their bid for fitness.

Matthew Cutler, judge and tutor said “Diets are always front of peoples’ minds, especially with the current obsession for the perfect body, and dancing is a passionate, energetic way for people to keep fit. It will be fascinating to see how the participants step up the pace as they shed weight, and their energy increases.”

Amongst the contestants hoping to boost fitness and achieve their weight loss dancing goals is 21 year old Ed, a wannabe boy band member who is desperate to ignite his career, but feels his weight is holding him back. Thirty-nine year old Dale has changed his whole life after leaving his wife and children to start a gay relationship. The only thing holding him back from total happiness is his weight. Unlucky in love Amy, has suffered the heartache of being engaged twice with both ending in disaster and heartbreak. Amy is desperate to shed the weight, get fit and regain her confidence to find true love.

Dr Catherine Spencer-Smith, Judge and Sports physician, said “In today’s society the importance of exercising is highlighted by the growing levels of obesity in the UK. This show is all about moving away from the conventional ideas of how to lose weight by giving exercise a fun, glam twist which will hopefully inspire others”.

In addition, there will be challenging costume changes each week and on hand to help the contestants is stylist and mentor Nick Ede (LK Today, GMTV). He will be sourcing outfits that work for each dance and try to help them conquer their fears over the revealing clothes; clothes that over the weeks will become smaller and more daring, as they shed pounds. Will there be tears and tantrums or will the contestants accept that by overcoming this challenge, they are on their way to achieving their goals to a fitter, more svelte self?