The presentation of the show is similar to that of the Pop Idol series of singing competitions, also created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe.

[1] In the initial televised audition phase of the show, contestants dance in front of the judges – Nigel Lythgoe, Louise Redknapp, Arlene Phillips and Sisco Gomez – in the hope of getting through to the "choreography camp" round.

It was initially announced that season two would have Alexandra Burke as a guest judge throughout the auditions and choreographer camp, to pull in more of the viewing audience.

The show was axed by BBC One due to the second series' low ratings, and because they had bought the broadcasting rights for the UK version of The Voice.

Which they would be giving the time to spend and choreograph a type of performance the judges would ask for, (e.g. hip-hop, jazz, etc.).

Most rounds consist of the entire group of remaining dancers being taught a dance in a specific style (hip-hop, Broadway, and ballroom are among the most frequently-seen styles), and then performing the dance in front of the judges, a handful of contestants at a time.

At the end of this week of auditions, the judges meet and discuss each remaining dancer, to determine who will be chosen for the audience-vote portion of the competition (generally referred to as that season's "Top 20").

At the end of the finale, the winner (the competitor with the highest number of audience votes from the night before) is revealed.

The preliminary auditions for the first series of the show were held in major cities throughout the UK in October 2009.

The first episode showed the auditions from London, Manchester, choreography camp and the top 14 were revealed.

Lizzie Gough finished third, Tommy Franzén was the season runner-up, but female jazz dancer Charlie Bruce ended up as the winner.

Arlene Phillips, Sisco Gomez, Nigel Lythgoe and Louise Redknapp all returned to the panel for series two.

On the second part of the choreography camp, after Burke left the panel, John Barrowman was brought in as guest judge.