91Èȱ¬

Robert Webb and Dick & Dom are the first two acts to hot-foot their way into the final of Let's Dance For Comic Relief, following their glittering performances in the first show of the series on 91Èȱ¬ One.

Presenters Claudia Winkleman and Steve Jones announced that the viewers had chosen Robert Webb as their favourite, the first act to win a place in the final on Saturday 14 March, after performing a spectacular homage to Flashdance, What A Feeling.

Robert Webb said: "Thank you very much. I did wish to entertain the ladies and gentlemen, I feel all shy now!"

And about the possibility of winning, he added: "Yes let's have a go!"

Runners up Dick & Dom and EastEnders actors John Partridge (Christian) and Cliff Parisi (Minti) then faced the three panellists who decided which act would win the second place in the final after their performances of Blues Brothers' Shake A Tail Feather and High School Musical's We're All In This Together respectively.

Panellists Michael McIntyre voted for the two EastEnders actors and Emma Bunton voted for Dick & Dom, leaving head panellist Anton Du Beke to cast his deciding vote.

Michael McIntyre: "Obviously they were both absolutely fantastic, great performances tonight, they look like a before and after, I want to see them both looking as cool as each other. I'm sending EastEnders through!"

Emma Bunton: "It's so hard I don't know what to do, I'm going to go for the gorgeous Dick & Dom!"

Head panellist Anton Du Beke: "After tonight's performance Dick & Dom!"

The EastEnders actors said: "We're gutted, really gutted!" (John Patridge) "But I saved some money on an osteopath!" (Cliff Parisi)

Dick & Dom said (laughing) "We were happy until they started booing us!"

Viewer's favourite Robert Webb then closed the show with one more rendition of Flashdance, What A Feeling.

Tonight's show was the first of three heats and saw EastEnders actors John Partridge and Cliff Parisi, the Chefs (John Burton Race, Paul Rankin, Sophie Grigson, Nancy Lam, Kevin Woodford, Sophie Michell, Tony Tobin, Reza Mahammad and Silvena Rowe), Nicki Chapman & Christopher Biggins and Les Dennis eliminated.

There were also performances from The Saturdays who performed their Comic Relief single Just Can't Get Enough and the lead actor of hit musical Billy Elliot.

Next week, six more celebrity contestants will take to the floor in a bid to wow viewers with iconic dance routines and win a place in the final of Let's Dance For Comic Relief.

Notes to Editors

Selected costumes worn by the stars in their performances will be auctioned to raise even more cash for Comic Relief – keep an eye on rednoseday.com/auction for details.

Remaining celebity line-up: Cast of Hollyoaks Loui Batley (Sarah), Nathalie Emmanuel (Sasha), Dominique Jackson (Lauren), Ricky Whittle (Calvin), Garnon Davies (Elliot), Neil Fox & Nancy Sorrell, Angela Rippon, Jo Brand, Keith Lemon & Paddy McGuinness, Dragons' Den's Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Deborah Meaden, Blue Peter Presenters Tim Vincent, Anthea Turner, Mark Curry, Diana Louise Jordan, Peter Duncan, Janet Ellis and Helen Skelton.

Anton Du Beke the head panellist will be joined by two different guest panellists each week including Paul O'Grady, Michael McIntyre and Denise Van Outen.

The show will run over four weeks, comprising three heats and culminating in a spectacular final dance off on Red Nose weekend.

The final will see six celebrity acts dance for their chance to be crowned the Let's Dance For Comic Relief Champion on Saturday 14 March.

Proceeds from the voting will go to Comic Relief. Go online at bbc.co.uk/letsdance for backstage footage and interviews.

The show is produced by Whizz Kid Entertainment for the 91Èȱ¬.

Red Nose Day 2009 is on Friday 13 March. Go to bbc.co.uk/rednoseday for more information.

Comic Relief spends all the money raised through Red Nose Day to give extremely poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa a helping hand to turn their lives around.

From 9 to 13 March, 91Èȱ¬ Red Button will be offering Sky viewers the facility to make a donation to Comic Relief by pressing red on their remote controls (Freeview and Virgin viewers are shown the telephone details and places to make donations). To complete the donation viewers should have their credit/debit cards handy and make sure their set-top box is connected to a phone line.

91Èȱ¬ audiences have used the Red Button to raise £8.5m for charitable causes since 2001.

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