The Greatest Dancer

It has really grown on me. I find it very entertaining, great Sat night viewing, although they do need to get rid of the receptionist bit during the auditions...that's a little annoying.

Terrible format, 30 seconds of dancing to every 10 minutes of padding, stupid idea letting the audience decide who goes through, it's BGT without the dogs. The most gifted and talented are at the mercy of the populist sentimental vote - fat dancing dads - seriously? What's with the dippy receptionist? Just lost 40 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

I love the American SYTYCD - minimal padding, excellent and educational critiques from reputable judges and absolutely amazing talent and choreography. This show is NOT anything like that. I gave up on this crap before the end of the first episode. It's not about the dancing, that is made clear by the incessant cuts to audience gobsmacked faces during the performance. I don't need to see some strangers reaction to decide if I'm enjoying myself as well, just keep the camera on the performance so we can watch it in its entirety!!! Soooo much padding and waffle.

This was one of those shows that the BBC promote to the hilt, make out it's going to be the best thing since sliced bread, and then quietly admit later that it wasn't as good as it should have been.

The talent is all there, but it's all pieces of a puzzle that has been put together better before, and elsewhere.

For whatever reason, the BBC just don't seem to do this show well, and this was another fine example.

It ran for two series, and although the BBC probably claimed that the reason for this not running longer was due to the pandemic, the truth is it just was never anything better than just 'ok'.

Jog on if you're looking for high level, top of the dance school trained dancers. TGD offers up feel good, cheesy back stories with performances that crescendo, hopefully, with the votes of the audience triggering 'the mirrors' of the studio opening. The judges are amply enthusiastic and constructive whilst the hosts supply the audience with in the moment reactions from family and fans.

We'll see what future shows offer but for now it's feel good fun for the drab winter!