Webb wins first heat of Comic Relief dance show
Funnyman Robert Webb has won the first round of BBC1's charity show Let's Dance for Comic Relief - earning himself a place in the grand final. The comedian stormed to victory in the show, in which celebrity teams reinterpret famous dance routines from movies and pop videosin aid of Comic Relief, with his version of Flashdance. As a result, he will perform again in the grand final on March 14. The judging panel, consisting of Strictly Come Dancing's Anton du Beke, Spice Girl Emma Bunton and comedian Michael McIntyre, were also impressed by Webb's routine. "Underneath the hair and leotard was an excellent dance," du Beke told him, while McIntyre said it was "fantastic". TV presenting duo Dick and Dom also won themselves a spot in the final after being voted through by the judges. The pair, who performed a Blues Brothers-themed routine,fought off competition from EastEnders stars Cliff Parisi and John Patridge, who recreated a routine from High School Musical. Anton du Beke told Dick and Dom their routine was "the best of the night",although Michael had reservations. "It was almost too good," he said. "One of you could have fallen over!" Others who took part in the first show included Les Dennis, who performed a routine from Saturday Night Fever. Nicki Chapman and Christopher Biggins also teamed up for their interpretation of You're The One That I Want from Grease, while a team of TV chefs recreated the dance from Michael Jackson's Thriller video. The show, hosted by Steve Jones and Claudia Winkleman, also featured the premiere of this year's Comic Relief single, Islands In The Stream, by Gavin and Stacey. stars Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones. Tom Jones also appears on the track.
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Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix.
An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.