BBC plans Michael Jackson dance talent show
The BBC is planning to trawl the country for a superstar dancer who can emulate Michael Jackson for a new talent show. The corporation is in 'advanced discussions' about the programme, which would hunt for those who can master the late singer's often highly technical moonwalks and lightning spins. It is not thought that hopefuls would need to sing like the King of Pop, and the programme would potentially be called Move Like Michael Jackson. The Sun quoted a source saying one of Jackson's siblings could be lined up to be part of an X Factor-style judging panel. The source said: "Given that his family played such a huge part in his life, it makes sense for one of them to be a judge. "Jermaine, Janet or LaToya would be brilliant." The BBC said at this stage it could not confirm the format, any judge or judges, transmission times or what channel the show might be on. A spokeswoman said: "We are currently in advanced discussions about commissioning a new entertainment show, which will seek to find Britain's most talented dancer, who can move like the legendary Michael Jackson."
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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.