Cheryl takes aim at ‘haters’ as she launches The Greatest Dancer

Cheryl has pre-emptively hit back at critics of new dance show The Greatest Dancer.

Launching this Saturday night at 8PM on BBC One, the new series comes from Simon Cowell’s Syco production company together with the makers of The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

The Greatest Dancer will feature a host of talent from all genres of dance competing for a £50,000 prize.

Performer Cheryl is one of three dance captains on the series alongside Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse and Glee and Broadway star Matthew Morrison.

And ahead of the launch, she’s encouraged potential viewers to just enjoy the show.

“It makes me sad that we really put a lot of focus on criticism – just enjoy,” she said. “It’s entertainment, we’re not trying to revolutionise the world. People are just trying to entertain you.”

The former X Factor judge and Girls Aloud went on to confess she doesn’t have the same credentials as her fellow dance captains.

“They’ve had really long careers in dance and in performing arts,” Cheryl explained. “Mentoring other people one-on-one like I did on X Factor might help me with the mentality of how things go. But in terms of knowledge and stuff, they’re more than qualified.”

Reflecting on her dance experience, she continued: “The thing I was probably most experienced with was, I went to summer school at the Royal Ballet when I was nine… and now I’m like 35.

“So beyond a pas de chat I probably couldn’t tell them much more. I couldn’t tell a ballerina what to do.

“It was a long time ago.”

Alongside the trio of dance captains, Alesha Dixon and Diversity member Jordan Banjo will host the series.

Current Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha said: “I can’t wait to be a part of The Greatest Dancer and work with Jordan. As a massive fan of dance I’m so excited about the prospect of finding amazing new dance talent.”

Jordan added: “I’m so excited to be a part of The Greatest Dancer. Coming from a talent show myself with Diversity has shown me how much a show like this can change your life, so to be on the other side hosting is going to be an awesome experience.”

The Greatest Dancer starts on Saturday, January 5 at 8PM on BBC One.