The Greatest Dancer AXED by BBC after poor ratings

It aired for two series

The Greatest Dancer cast

by Nathan Katnoria |
Updated on

BBC One talent show The Greatest Dancer has been axed after two series after failing to win the ratings battle.

The show was first rumoured to be on the chopping block last month, after the final was seen by just 2.8 million viewers; but a BBC spokesperson has now confirmed it won’t be returning.

A representative for the Beeb said, “Whilst there are no plans for a further series, we are proud of the show and would like to thank everyone involved.”

The Greatest Dancer was produced by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and starred Cheryl, Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse and Glee’s Matthew Morrison as dance captains.

RuPaul’s Drag Race star Todrick Hall was added as a fourth dance captain ahead of the second series in a bid to attract a younger audience, but it wasn’t enough to save the show from the axe.

CHECK OUT Cheryl's transformation through the years

Gallery

HEAT Cheryl's Transformation slider with cover pic

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Swipe through to see Cheryl's transformation through the years...

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2002 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 19

Cheryl Tweedy made her debut with pop band Girls Aloud in November 2002, while rocking the crazy noughties Fashion Trends.

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2003 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 20

Cheryl (Tweedy) in her Girls Aloud days sporting the tomboy style tracks and sneakers. Lets not forget our midriffs!

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2003 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 20

Leaving the court house in '03, Cheryl is almost un recognizable in her 'worker mum' jeans and pale pink jacket. One thing Cheryl did not for get were the infamous pink tinted sunglasses from the early 2000's.

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2003 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 20

Cheryl and her girl squad, Girls Aloud looked more united than ever in their early days in matching tracks.

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2004 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 21

Cheryl slaying it in the tomboy baggy jeans and sneakers. And of course the matching belt, top and earrings. And no outfit is complete 'till the pink sunnies come out.

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2004 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 21

Who else would look this good sitting in a chair on stage performing on stage in three-qarters and flip flops? Imagine performing now in flip-fops?!

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2004 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 21

Ah yes, the not-so-invisible invisible bra straps that we all wore, especially with our little boob-tube tops.

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2004 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 21

The LBB tasseled dress with heels that we all of 3cm high. Man we were cool in the 2000's

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2005 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 22

With low cut jeans and crop top tees taking over fashion, Cheryl and her sporty fit physique sure rocked these styles.

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2005 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 22

Looking back on fashion, early naughties were an absolute shocker! That dark brown, not quite maxi, not quite knee length skirt with pointed shoes did not do the mint green satin corset any favours. We still love you, though, Cheryl!

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2005 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 22

Our girl Cheryl looking so happy, but oh dear! Looks like Girls Aloud girls were celebrating October fest... in July.

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2005 Cheryl Tweedy- Age 22

That a lot-a pink! The Girls Aloud group performed for the T4 Poll Winters' Party Smash Hits show in what we could only assume to be Barbie inspired prom dresses.

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2006 Cheryl Tweedy - Age 23

Cheryl arriving at the 2006 Alien Autopsy Premiere in an elegant evening coral dress, with a simple peep toe heel and shawl.

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2006 Cheryl Cole - Age 23

YES! The highlight days. With Cheryl's not so brunette hair of hair, if it was not for the dimples, you would have to take a second glance to realize who just walked past. Still beautiful as ever in that champagne silk wrap dress with ex-hubby Ashley Cole.

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2006 Cheryl Cole - Age 23

Cheryl means business at the movie premiere of 'It's A Boy Girl Thing' in support of Elton John's AIDS Foundation. The shimmer striped blazer with buttoned down collard shirt is perfectly eventuated with the drop down sparkle necklace.

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2007 Cheryl Cole - Age 24

Back to her dark burnet shoulder length locks, Cheryl poses for Girls Aloud's new single 'Sexy! No No No'. With the pain white sleeved low cut top, Cheryl teases us with that little smirk!

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2007 Cheryl Cole - Age 24

With her square cut dead straight locks, Cheryl plays the Sexy Librarian quite well! With that neutral lippy, giving just enough colour and her see through tank, we say YES to this look at the London Fashion week in '07.

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2007 Cheryl Cole - Age 24

Cheryl appeared in style to the 2007 Samsung Launch for their new F20 Purple phone along side her girl squad. Dressed it a navy blue, knee length, bodycon dress, she absolutely killed this entrance! Loving the neck line on this one, Cheryl.

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2007 Cheryl Cole - Age 24

This stunner continues to stun us in a floor length sequined high neck dress at the 2007 British Red Cross Ball.

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2008 Cheryl Cole - Age 25

Arriving at the '08 Brit Awards, Cheryl sure stood out in that yellow piece and barbie pink lip color, but WOW does that work! STUNNING

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2008 Cheryl Cole - Age 25

Cheryl looked like she was in her element while walking the runway for the Fashion for Relief show during the London Fashion Week in '08. With a smile like that she definitely deserves the tiara!

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2008 Cheryl Cole - Age 25

Cheryl wore quite the statement piece the the Girls Aloud Book Signing in '08. Making sure she gabbed the eyes of fellow fans, the yellow and black tiger stripped dress entrusted with that bright pink belt aught to do it!

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2008 Cheryl Cole - Age 25

Cheryl Arriving at the National Television Awards wearing a a shoulder fall gown, with a pop of green down the bottom. This pin up hairstyle with the patterned chest and neck line is a win for sure!

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2008 Cheryl Cole - Age 25

It be safe to say that by now, Cheryl has become a pro at making entrances. With the full head of long full locks and that killer smile, Cheryl was sure to turn heads as she entered the Music Industry Trusts' Awards in '08.

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2009 Cheryl Cole - Age 26

From her music video 'Parachute' in 2009, Cheryl met ex-boyf Derek Hough and, although the pair didn't last, they sure look like they mean business. Specially in that dramatic layered black dress!

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2009 Cheryl Cole - Age 26

Once again slaying at another entrance, Cheryl stuns us by showing of her long toned legs in this white textured a line mini dress #legsfordays.

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2009 Cheryl Cole - Age 26

Cheryl sure showed us how she burlesques' while performing at the 2009 Brit awards. The denim jeans are officially gone while performing!

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2010 Cheryl Cole - Age 27

Cheryl with X Factor co-hosts after taking out the award for Most Popular Talent Show in 2010.

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2010 Cheryl Cole - Age 27

Giving Tom Cruise a run for his money in these Aviators, Cheryl is looking hot as coming down those stairs at the 2010 Brit Awards!

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2010 Cheryl Cole - Age 27

The jean are back but the jeans of early 2000's are history! Cheryl arrives at BBC Radio 1 Studios in '10 super skinny white wash denim jeans with a leather sleepless jacket looking absolutely fab!

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2010 Cheryl Cole - Age 27

Cheryl performing songs from her first Debut Album as a Solo Artist at the opening of the Black Eyed Peas Concert in Dublin and is working it army style!

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2010 Cheryl Cole - Age 27

Oh Yes! Cheryl giving us a it of a tease with the super high leg split in a simple-statement white dress arriving at the Annual Cannes Film Festival in '10. Love Love Love.

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2011 Cheryl - Age 27

Sometimes simple is better, and Cheryl sure looked red hot arriving at the ELLE Style Awards in 2011.

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2011 Cheryl- 28th Birthday

Celebrating in style on her 28th Birthday! This layered dress with a matching neckline, Cheryl surely out dressed anyone and everyone at her bash, and so she should! As much as we love her long dark locks, this is one hair do that absolutely rocked this outfit. Happy B-day C.

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2011 Cheryl - Age 28

Cheryl nailed this color contract outfit and toped off this extravaganza with extra volume in her locks! The X Factor contestants sure needed to wow her like she wowed us!

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2012 Cheryl- Age 28

Like the fiery star she is, Cheryl paired this number well with the all red accessories as she walked the red carpet!

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2012 Cheryl - Age 28

Ah!! Those dimples! Who would fall involve with that.

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2012 Cheryl -Age 28

Cheryl showed of that fit physique in this two piece set, with sparkle finishings. Fitting for her 'One Million Lights' album performing at G.A.Y. in 2012.

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2013 Cheryl - Age 29

2013 saw the reunion of the Girls Aloud on their 'The Hits Tour 2013'. Man, how they have changed - definitely no baggy jeans and simple tops that for sure. Cheryl spreading her wings like she's walking down the runway of a Vic Secret show!

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2014 Cheryl Fernandez-Versini - Age 30

If anyone knows how to rock a Red Carpet, its Cheryl Cole! Absolutely saying at the Foxcatcher Premier at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival, Cheryl sure knows how to pull off this textured black trail dress! Damn Gurl!

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2014 Cheryl Fernandez-Versini - Age 30

Loving this more casual side of Cheryl. The tasseled jacked is a huge plus! And its coming back in!

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2015 Cheryl Fernandez-Versini - Age 31

Mid 2015, Cheryl posted a pic on her Insta wearing a 'MillyByMichelle' two piece. This flattering piece brings back memories of Yves Saint Laurent fall-winter collection in 1965 he the striped and blocked colours. Perfect for a fun girls night out.

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2015 Cheryl Fernandez-Versini - Age 31

Love this quirky do up and thigh high peep-toed leather boots. Right the way down to the black trimming on those winged sunnies.

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2015 Cheryl Fernandez-Versini - Age 31

Forever turning heads, this lace tatted trail gown is just WOW! With a slicked back hairdo, all eyes were on this outfit and its absolutely mesmerizing.

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2015 Cheryl Fernandez-Versini - Age 31

Paired with super high thigh high boots, this floral black mesh number is sexy, hot, diva-like and we like!

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2016 Cheryl - Age 32

This sequined striped jumpsuit just screams powerful and successful!

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2016 Cheryl - Age 32

A more darker side to Cheryl, with straight hair and plum lips. Perfect number for the Vouge 100 Gala Dinner in '16.

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2016 Cheryl - Age 33

Mum to be Cheryl sure has a glow to her smile at the Gold Obsession Party in 2016 where she would have been around 4 months pregnant at the time with her first bub.

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2016 Cheryl - Age 33

Parents to be, Cheryl and Liam show off their new family cooking up and they couldn't look happier.

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2017 Cheryl - Age 34

At the #GAME4GRENFELL charity event, Cheryl looked super casual and super hot all at once. Red lips to match those red high wait a line plants.

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2017 Cheryl - Age 34

In October of 2017, the mum of one walked the runway during the Le Defile L'Oreal Paris for the Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 collection. Pulling off a two-toned lippy with matching textured boots and jacket.

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2018 Cheryl - Aged 34

Putting rumours of a split behind them, Cheryl walked the red carpet at the BRIT Awards in a stunning LBD, accompanied with Liam Payne on her arm as they put on a very loved-up display.

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2018 Cheryl - Aged 35

After announcing her split from Liam Payne in July, Cheryl showed off her shorter hair as she promoted her brand new single 'Love Made Me Do It' in November 2018.

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2019 Cheryl - Aged 35

The former X Factor judge debuted another new look at the launch of new BBC show The Greatest Dancer in early 2019, looking fabulous with longer hair.

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2019 Cheryl - Aged 35

The Geordie princess decided to lighten her hair a bit in March 2019, oozing glamour at an awards show.

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2019 Cheryl - Aged 36

Following her birthday it appeared that Cheryl went even lighter on her hair.

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2019 Cheryl - Aged 36

A few weeks later and she walked down the runway for "Le Defile L'Oreal Paris" Show during Paris Fashion Week with darker hair. Well it looks darker but that could be the products on her hair...

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2019 Cheryl - Aged 36

Fast forward a few months and Cheryl stepped out with slightly shorter hair - maybe she took out any extensions?

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2020 Cheryl - Aged 36

Speaking of extensions it looks like Chez wore some during The Greatest Dancer event at the beginning of 2020. We're loving her hair colour though.

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A TV insider told The Sun, “The writing was on the wall a while back. Now the BBC and everyone involved has decided enough is enough and they’ve binned it.

“Critics liked it and it pulled in a younger audience. But the cost of the big production for the ratings the show delivered was too much.”

WATCH Which Greatest Dancer co-star is most likely to set Cheryl up on a date?

Love Island’s Curtis Pritchard also joined the show in series two as the receptionist who greeted contestants before their audition and was accused of flirting with Cheryl during one episode but he shut down the rumours after revealing he actually hardly saw the former Girls Aloud singer while filming.

In one scene, Cheryl teased Curtis about his Love Island past and even jokingly quoted the show’s famous “I’ve got a text” catchphrase.

But Curtis, who split from Maura Higgins last month, confessed, “I only spoke to Cheryl for around 10 minutes, because my reception area was away from those guys.”

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