Hundreds of dancers queued in Covent Garden today to audition for a new TV talent show.

The 300 hopefuls want to take part in a BBC series, So You Think You Can Dance. Starting in January, it is set to rival Strictly Come Dancing.

The new series, which will be presented by Cat Deeley and judged by Nigel Lythgoe, Arlene Phillips and a third panellist, who will change, is in its fifth season in America.

Contestants will be tested on their ability to dance to different styles each week for the opportunity to win £100,000 and to perform live on the US version of the show. Deeley said: “So You Think You Can Dance has been a phenomenon in the US and I have been incredibly proud to be part of it. I cannot wait to bring this show to the UK.”

Dancers auditioning today said they were excited about the prospect of a TV show especially for dancers.

Kayla Janssen, 22, a freelance dancer from Shepherd's Bush, said: “You already have X Factor and Britain's Got Talent for singers. “Strictly is specifically for a certain type of dance. It will be nice to see that there are versatile dancers out there.” Mandy Montanez, from Crystal Palace, has been following the US version and training for it coming here for more than a year.

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