The controversial TV medium Derek Acorah has said that Michael Jackson made “contact” with him because “he’s unhappy with his final resting place.”

During Sky1’s televised séance, Acorah said that Jackson is “at peace”, although he would have preferred to have been buried next to Marilyn Monroe.

It seems even in death, some stars just have a hissy fit when they don’t get what they want…

In a report in the Daily Mail, Acorah said that Jackson was “speaking through him” and was saying to him, “I wished to lie alongside her. I suppose it’s of no consequence.”

Acorah later said that Jackson added, “I’m only now starting to adjust to my spiritual life.”

What are your thoughts on this séance and Derek Acorah? Let us know.

Sky1 has revealed their judging panel for new dance contest JUST DANCE. Ashley Banjo (Diversity – winners of Britain’s Got Talent 2009), Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly, West End star and founding member of Tap Dogs) and Kimberly Wyatt (Pussycat Dolls) are the team charged with finding the nation’s next dance superstars

Ashley Banjo, choreographer and dancer from Diversity – the street crew who wowed Britain’s Got Talent audiences earlier this year and ultimately won the competition – knows exactly how it feels to be a dancer with big dreams. He says: “No one knows better than me how a contest like this can discover raw talent and open up fantastic opportunities. It’s a thrill to be on the other side of the desk this time and I’m so excited about discovering some fresh, new, original dancers.”

With a career that has taken in stage and screen – from dancing on Broadway and London’s West End Stage through to opening the Sydney Olympic Games with a showstopping tap routine as well as numerous tv and film credits, Adam Garcia also presides over the hopefuls. As he sets off on the nationwide quest Garcia comments: “Dance, for me, was my first and still is my enduring passion. I am constantly inspired by peoples’ commitment to dance for the sake of the act itself. I think this competition will reveal some genuinely great, new talent and its going to be a real thrill to see so many peoples’ love of dance translated into a performance”

Bringing beauty to the panel as well as a wealth of experience as a hugely successful dancer and choreographer, Kimberly Wyatt of the Pussycat Dolls takes her place alongside the boys and she sets out a cheeky challenge to contestants who really think they can cut some rug with: “Britain – don’t you wish your dancers were hot like me?! Well maybe they are but I’ll be the judge of that! I’m coming to the UK and I’m hoping you guys are going to have all the right moves!”

The judges take up their positions as auditions take place in Edinburgh this coming weekend. Further auditions will take place in Manchester and London over the next few weeks.

Whether you’re at the top of your game or just taking your first tentative steps onto the dancefloor there’s something for all abilities with everyone invited to join flashmobs for some Dancing In The Streets. Details of all flashmobs can be found here with the latest news on locations and films teaching the planned mass dance routines. Anyone can take part either by just showing up or by putting in the practice at home. Ashley Banjo wants to see everyone giving it a shot as he added: “I cannot wait to see people taking to the streets for our flashmobs to show that no matter what your level you can still bust a move!”

Davina McCall will host a mass dance routine for the Scottish general public to feature in the new Sky1 series Just Dance; the new search for the UK’s best solo dance acts, dancing duos and talented troupes.

18 million Brits are involved in some form of dance each year, so if you love throwing some crazy shapes in your local nightclub, tiptoeing through the tango, sweating your way through dance aerobics in the gym or critiquing dance stars from the comfort of your arm chair, Davina needs you.

Host Davina McCall says

“I am so excited that the first rounds of auditions are to be held in Edinburgh, one of my favourite cities. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the Scots do in the dance stakes and of course, I’m hoping a few kilts will be showcased on stage”

Choreographer Ashley Wallen has devised two different dance routines incorporating an exciting mix of music ranging from Madonna to James Brown. Ashley’s previous work includes the T Mobile Liverpool Street advert and West End show Rent Remixed.

The two medleys for the mass dance event are:

Get into the Groove by MADONNA / Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) BY C&C MUSIC FACTORY /Get Down On It by KOOL AND THE GANG

Relight my fire by TAKE THAT / Papa’s got a brand new bag by JAMES BROWN / Just Dance by LADY GAGA

Check out the demo and instruction videos below.

Got To Dance and Davina McCall invite you, your friends, your family and even your neighbours to take part in the biggest dance event on British TV ever.

First Stop Edinburgh as Just Dance comes to Scotland to take over the Capital! Come and join Davina and the Just Dance judges in Princes St Gardens at the Ross bandstand in Edinburgh on Friday 9th October. We plan to bring the city to a standstill so come and be part of Dancing in the Streets.

To take part, check out these two videos and learn the routine devised by one of the world’s top choreographers, Ashley Wallen. You need to watch the dance demo then listen to separate the instruction video. The videos shown are for Edinburgh only, check back next week for Manchester and London clips.

Ashley is responsible for the sensational Flash mob dance, which brought London’s Liverpool St Station to a standstill, as well as working with top stars such as Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue! Last month he enlisted the help of the Black Eyed Peas and a crowd of 15,000 people to perform a surprise choreographed routine in front of a delighted Oprah Winfrey during a taping of her show in Downtown Chicago!” You can see it all on YouTube.

So here’s what you have to do:

Ashley shows you the whole routine to music and talks you through it bit by bit. Learn what you can but there will be professionals to help you on the day so don’t worry!

Arrive at 11am ready to rehearse with the Sky 1 cameras and we will be filming until 5pm latest.

Bring your dancing shoes, an umbrella and something warm to wear.

Food and drinks will be available to purchase nearby.

There isn’t a secure cloakroom so please leave valuables at home.

Any age welcomed but children are not allowed to miss school for this event. Children are welcome to learn online and join in after school.

Please avoid stilettos or ‘indoor only’ dance shoes such as ballet pumps.

You are welcome to come in costume. The more colourful the better and the more chance you’ll be able to spot yourself on telly.

All standards of dancers are welcome – Just Dance auditionees or the general public. You never know you might get spotted and end up with an audition in front of our judges and one step towards winning £100,000.

There will be time to rehearse the routine in the morning but the more you learn online the quicker we can get going. We will continue even if there is moderate rain. Bring warm clothing and an umbrella and we will go dancing in the rain!

Got To Dance Edinburgh: Has now taken place at The Ross Bandstand, Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh on Friday 9th October.

Manchester: In front of the town hall, Albert Square, Manchester at 11am on Friday 16th October.

London: 28th October – Location to be confirmed.

AUDITION DATES, LOCATIONS AND ROUTINES JUST RELEASED. FOR MORE DETAILS CLICK HERE.

Just as Big Brother draws to an end, Sky1 and Sky1 HD announced that DAVINA McCALL will be the new presenter of upcoming dance competition JUST DANCE, scheduled for broadcast in January 2010.

Davina will preside over the nationwide auditions, bringing her own inimitable charm and humour to an otherwise tough and competitive audition programme. The GOT TO DANCE team are searching for Britain’s best dancers – whatever their style, combination or age. Style, grace, personality, athleticism and timing will all be vital skills for our contestants. The winner of GOT TO DANCE must show these qualities from day one and sprinkle themselves with that indefinable star quality that turns the good into great.

Duncan Gray, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment, Sky1 HD, Sky1, 2 and 3 commented: “Davina’s charisma, passion and charm – everything that makes her such an exceptional all-round entertainer – have never diminished. It’s this infectious energy that co-workers and audiences alike simply cannot ignore and I’m thrilled that she’s joining the Sky1 family.”

Davina added: “I love the ambition of Sky1 and GOT TO DANCE is spectacular family entertainment at its best. I can’t wait to get started with the auditions, although the hardest job will be keeping me off the dance floor.”

The first round of GOT TO DANCE, known as ‘Dancing In The Street’ auditions, will take place in Glasgow, followed by Manchester and London. Huge flash-mob dance routines will be created at all of the audition venues, and only the most entertaining dancers will be invited to a second audition in front of the judges within the Sky ‘Dance Domes’.

Following the auditions, the judges will select eighteen acts to make it through to the three semi-finals, and then the best two dance acts chosen from each show will make it to the Grand Final. The winner will be selected by the viewing public.

Davina will be there at all stages to guide the contestants through the process. Combining her experience interacting with large crowds and truly engaging with people, she’ll ensure we take viewers on a gruelling, yet once in a lifetime, journey.

The stage is set, now all they have to do is GOT TO DANCE. Who has what it takes to be crowned GOT TO DANCE Champion 2010?

The ‘Dancing In The Street’ auditions will kick off in October 2009 on the following dates:

• Glasgow, 9 – 11 October

• Manchester, 16 -18 October

• London, 28 – 31 October and 1st November

Supermodel Heidi Klum returns to present the hotly-anticipated sixth season of the Emmy®-nominated Project Runway on Sky1 HD and Sky1 from Wednesday 16 September, 2009. The most sensational season yet, it’s all change as the series moves to the star-studded city of Los Angeles, providing A-List guest judges and red carpet glamour. Klum hosts the search for the next big name in fashion, heading a panel of industry luminaries, including top designer Michael Kors and Marie Claire’s fashion director Nina Garcia as the judges must decide who is “in” and who is “out”. Tim Gunn, Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne Inc. will once again act as a mentor to the 16 aspiring designers, offering advice and encouraging them to “make it work”.

Tim Gunn commented: “Los Angeles is indisputably the home of the red carpet. It’s the home of film and television costume, and it has a celebrity dimension that New York doesn’t have.”

The amazing line up of A-List celebrity guest judges include Eva Longoria Parker, Christina Aguilera, Lindsay Lohan and Rebecca Romijn. The designers will have to step up their game if they want to impress these fashionistas.

PROJECT RUNWAY sees the16 designers fight it out for the chance to launch their careers with a cash prize of $100,000, a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine and an all expenses paid trip to Paris for two. Each week, a battle of needlework – and egos – commences as the colourful contestants will be set a challenge to test their skills and imagination, with the least impressive having their design dreams ripped at the seams as they are voted off the show by the judges.

Inspired by the move to Los Angeles, the designers will take on challenges centred on the beach and the red carpet. So expect exquisite, jaw dropping gowns and fabulous bikinis. This season also promises outrageous challenges, with the most provocative outfits ever to appear on the runway. Tim Gunn commented: “We have a challenge, the outcome of which will have the blogs going crazy! I’m surprised I didn’t need CPR when it all came down the runway, because I’m still in such a state of shock about it.”

The designers who make it to the final week must compete on the biggest stage of all in the PROJECT RUNWAY finale at New York Fashion Week.

This season the contestants’ mix of natural design talent and ego doesn’t disappoint. Contestant Malvin Vein lists his favourite designer as ‘himself’ and inspiration as ‘the farmers of rural China’. The designers also have a more diverse and international background. Nicholas Putvinski, Gordana Gehlhausen and Irina Shabeyeva hail originally from Russia, Bosnia and the Republic of Georgia, respectively.

Expect fireworks as tempers flare between the 16 contestants. Heidi Klum said: “Look out for the girls. The girls are very strong on season six. There’s a lot of crying, there’s fighting going on, there’s a lot of drama going on – but especially with the girls.”

The PROJECT RUNWAY contestants are:

Shirin Askari, 25, of Garland, Texas
Louise Black, 32, of Dallas
Ra’Mon-Lawrence Coleman, 31, of Milwaukee
Rodney Epperson, 50, of New York
Ari Fish, 26, of Kansas City, Mo.
Qristyl Frazier, 42, of New York
Gordana Gehlhausen, 45, of San Diego
Mitchell Hall, 26, of Savannah, Ga.
Althea Harper, 25, of New York
Logan Neitzel, 25, of Seattle
Nicholas Putvinksi, 27, of New York
Johnny Sakalis, 30, of Los Angeles
Irina Shabeyeva, 27, of New York
Christopher Straub, 30, of Shakopee, Minn.
Malvin Vein, 24, of New York
Carol Hannah Whitfield, 24, of New York

A compulsive cocktail of tears and tantrums, tremendous talents and daring design feats, don’t miss PROJECT RUNWAY, Wednesday 16th September at 8pm only on Sky1 HD and Sky1.

Sky1 and Sky1 HD today launched a search for the UK and Ireland’s next footballing prodigy. Open to 16-18 year olds FOOTBALL’S NEXT STAR will offer young players the chance of a lifetime – a contract at Jose Mourinho’s Italian champions, Inter Milan.

The search begins in June when renowned premiership footballer and Sky Sports commentator Jamie Redknapp – plus Inter Milan’s top coaches and scouts – will oversee trials to be held in four cities across the UK and Ireland. They are;

* Dublin – 26-29 June
* Manchester – 3-6 July
* London – 10-15 July
* Glasgow – 17-20 July

To attend these trials please visit – www.sky.com/sky1

After completing a series of intensive trials – devised and overseen by Inter Milan’s top coaches and scouts – the best 40 players from all four venues will be selected. This 40 will then be invited to London for two days of further testing. This 40 will then be cut to 12. The final 12 will then travel to Italy to spend five weeks training at Inter Milan’s state of the art training complex Interello.

Once at Interello, the players will be fully integrated into the Inter Milan set-up, playing with and against some of the best young players in Italy. They will also receive coaching and tips from Inter legends including Patrick Viera, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Javier Zanetti. During their stay in Italy the final 12 will be housed in a luxury villa in Milan – offering them a unique insight into Italian football and culture.

The ultimate decision on who wins will be made by Inter Milan’s head coach, Jose Mourinho, the special one. “This will be a special experience for the boys who come to Inter Milan. They will learn the Inter way, and what it takes to get to the top. We are there to help them. For the player who wins the contract at the Inter Milan academy, this could be an incredible opportunity.” – Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho will be joined by ex Spurs and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp who will be on hand to mentor the boys throughout their journey from trials to Italy.

For full entry details and to enter the competition please visit www.sky.com/sky1 call UK: 0871 875 0000 or 0818 444 400 in the Republic of Ireland for details. Once entered every applicant will then be given venue details for their chosen city and allocated a designated time slot at which they should attend.

Lawrence Duffy, Managing Director of Endemol Sport says; “We’re delighted to be making this ambitious series with Inter Milan for Sky1. This is an authentic search and a genuine chance in a lifetime for a group of young players to train at the Inter Academy and for one undiscovered player to call the San Siro his home.”

James Townley, Production Manager, Sky1, Sky2, Sky3 comments; “Sky1 is always on the look out for exciting and entertaining new shows and Football’s Next Star is just that. It’s the X-Factor of football. I just wish I was young enough to enter.”

Football’s Next Star is based on the format created by Iconic Worldwide Media, which is being globally distributed by Endemol Sport. The series was commissioned by Stuart Murphy, Director of Programmes, Sky1, Sky2, Sky3. The Executive Producer for Initial is David Staite.

Football’s Next Star will air on Sky1 and Sky1 HD in late 2009.

Sky1’s entertaining documentary sees two of the UK’s most respected dancers putting their reputations to the test, and on the line. Celebrity dancers ANTON DU BEKE and ERIN BOAG (Strictly Come Dancing) will select a team of dance rookies aged 14 to16 from a typical inner city comprehensive then have just four weeks to train the novices from scratch, to a high performance standard. The ‘students’ will then have to perform a dynamic dance routine at a major gala event to a packed house at the prestigious Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Anton and Erin have played a huge part in the country’s renewed passion for the rumba, the tango and the Viennese waltz. They’re passionate about the potential of ballroom dancing and their outstanding talent and professionalism will definitely be invaluable to the 12 teenagers. However, this uplifting two-part series looks at the bigger picture; can ballroom dancing have a lot more to offer than glitz, glamour and celebs in sequins?

BALLROOM HIGH is inspired by the admirable story of dance teacher Pierre Dulane. He decided to introduce ballroom dancing to kids in some of New York’s toughest schools as a way of teaching them the value of discipline, respect and essentially, to give the pupils a sense of achievement. Pierre’s initiative was so successful it was expanded into a national programme in American high schools, and was the inspiration behind the Hollywood movie Take The Lead, starring Antonio Banderas.

This is a great opportunity for Sky1 to work with the very best in the business. Anton and Erin will bring their unlimited passion to this entertaining yet emotional journey for them and the students. BALLROOM HIGH proves that it takes more that steps to make a good dancer as each student will test every one of their emotions to the very limits.

Anton and Erin have been dancing together for over 10 years, have won numerous championships, and currently coach the number one UK Junior and Youth couple. The flawless dancerswant to follow in Dulane’s footsteps and bring ballroom to British schools. They are fervent believers that a good dance partnership is about much more than rhythm and good moves: dancers must trust, respect and understand each other.

Anton commented: “I really enjoyed the process; they’ve been lovely to work with. We required three things from them when we started: a commitment to what we were doing, responsibility to what they’re doing and respect for us, their dance partners and the group as a whole. These are the things we’ve been banging on about ever since we started and by and large I think we’ve got that.”

Erin went on to add: “This has been a massive challenge for Anton and I. We’ve had our ups and downs with the kids and teaching them to dance has been the easy part. What we also wanted to give them was respect, the ability to work as team, social etiquette and manners. And we’ve set them goals as we’ve gone along which they’ve achieved, so we’ve shown them that if you work hard at something you can be successful.”

BALLROOM HIGH, exclusive to Sky1 & Sky1 HD, Tuesday 12th and 19th May at 9pm.

Sky1 has commissioned Mentorn Media to make a second series of School Musical. Following on from the success of last year’s Hairspray: The School Musical, the series will return with new host Duncan James taking on the challenge, a new hit West End musical to be staged and another school setting out to pull off the production of their lives.

In response to popular demand a nationwide audition process is currently underway. Close to one thousand schools have come forward in the hope of taking part this year. Following these auditions, three schools will be selected to compete in a final sing off to determine which school will be putting on the show. And then the hard work to put the show together will really begin.

Duncan will be ably supported by the hit team of choreographer Stacey Haynes and vocal coach Zoe Tyler as he works to transform a cast of high school pupils into West End stars.

Duncan commented: “I’m really excited to be involved in the show as I’ve always loved musicals. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the kids, as well as a massive challenge. I’ll be pulling out all the stops to make sure they succeed!”

Donna Taberer, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment, Sky1, 2 and 3, said: “We were absolutely thrilled with the success of last year’s Hairspray: The School Musical. Kingsmead really rose to the occasion and exceeded all expectations. We’ve been overwhelmed by the response of schools wanting to take part this year and we’re very excited about the talent waiting to be discovered. I’m delighted to welcome Duncan aboard also – he’s both a fantastic role model and talented performer and I’m sure the kids will enjoy working with him.”

Dan Barraclough, Head of Factual Entertainment for Mentorn Media, added: “Hairspray: The School Musical was an amazing experience for everyone involved. To see a group of ordinary kids from Enfield pull off a West End show was really special. We’re absolutely delighted to be able to bring back the series for Sky1 and this time make it even bigger, with a nationwide search for the school to launch the series and an even bigger musical for the kids to try and pull off.”

Ruth travels to Bradford this week, to come to the aid of a £2,000,000 double-glazing business that faces ruin because of its slack salesmen.

She faces an uphill struggle though, with an average of just three customers a day coming into their costly new showroom. But the low volume of potential sales is irrelevant when the salesmen are never at work and, with soft touch MDs who are reminiscent of folically challenged Chuckle Brothers, nobody is doing anything about it. Their idea of taking a hard line is giving somebody a wedgie.

Enter ‘The Badger’: “Rooms With A View is a classic example of a sales team bringing a company to their knees. One of the salesmen liked to do as little as he could for as much time as he could. He went head-to-head with me: Badger 1 – Chris 0. It’s a very big example of the sales team doing nothing and not being managed.”

It’s Ruth’s toughest challenge to date, but one that she’s certainly up for. Will it be a case of Badger or bust?

Sky One Tuesday 22 May 2007 at 22:00