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DANCEFLOOR DESIRE

When is Flirty Dancing on Channel 4 tonight and how does the Ashley Banjo dating show work?

Channel 4's show embraces the Strictly "curse" and combines dating with dancing...

Ashley Banjo and Diversity host and perform in the show

STRICTLY Come Dancing is famed for the 'Strictly curse' - which sees dancers and their celebrity partners hook up.

But unlike the BBC show, Channel 4's Flirty Dancing embraces romances between dance pairings - here's what you need to know about the show...

 Gemma Atkinson struck up a relationship on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017
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Gemma Atkinson struck up a relationship on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association

What is Flirty Dancing about?

Flirty Dancing is a five-part series that brings single people together through the art of dance.

Before Tinder, Bumble and Happn, the dance floor was the ultimate place to meet your other half.

The Channel 4 show is looking to restore the dance floor desire through one single dance.

Two sets of single people will be paired up per show.

The second episode of the new series airs tonight (January 31) at 10pm on Channel 4.

How does the show work?

Channel 4 will take two complete strangers each week and teach them one half of a fully choreographed dance routine.

Each dance has been cleverly tailored to illustrate the singletons' personalities and what they want from a prospective partner.

The singles will learn their routine separately so that the first time they meet their match will be a first date like no other.

Once the couples have completed their dance date, they will part still not yet having spoken a word to each other.

But did sparks fly on the dancefloor? Will they want to see each other again or was that their last dance?

 Ashley Banjo will play cupid using his skills as a choreographer
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Ashley Banjo will play cupid using his skills as a choreographerCredit: �ITV Plc

Who is the host?

Self-confessed romantic Ashley Banjo will play cupid using his skills as one of Britain's best loved choreographers.

The leader of Diversity, who himself met his wife dancing, will match the couples using different dance styles.

Meaning it could be a Waltz in Wolverhampton, a Tango in Tenby or even a street dance in Sheffield.

Speaking about the new show, he said: "Dance exposes your true self – you can't hide behind words or an outfit…

"Back in the good old days, three quarters of people met their partners on a dancefloor.

 Two sets of single people will be paired up per show and Ashley will be with them every step of the way
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Two sets of single people will be paired up per show and Ashley will be with them every step of the wayCredit: ITV

Ashley added: "I met my wife dancing, we really connected and got to know each other in dance class.

"There was a chemistry that I don’t think would have been created sitting across from each other at a table and just talking…

"I want to bring a bit of old-fashioned romance back to dating – the magic that can be created without a word being spoken…"

Flirty Dancing: Ashley Banjo plays cupid in Channel 4's new flirty dance show
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