Season 2
Dance Your Butt Off is a South African reality competition television series based on the American show Dance Your Ass Off in which overweight contestants are paired with professional dancers and compete in weekly dancing challenges, whilst simultaneously losing weight.
The series premiered on SABC1 on Tuesday 12 October 2010, at 23h00 (it was scheduled to start at 18h30 but the channel was unable to broadcast it due to technical problems). See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 2 premiered on SABC1 on Tuesday 26 July 2011, at 18h30. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are 26 episodes in the second season.
Season 2 was won by Sabelo Xaba, who lost 34.2 kg on the show.
Season 2
Make a date with your remote control and settle down for a double dose of dancertainment and inspiration with this reality show, which sees 10 super-sized South Africans dieting, exercising and dancing their butts off in a bid to win a sum of R100,000.
The show returns with a new format featuring audience favourites from the first season, host Relebogile Mabotja and celebrity judges Somizi "SomGaga" Mhlongo and Khabonina "Kha'bodacious" Qubeka. From week two, they will be joined by a surprise guest judge every week.
Season 2 promises to be tougher and more demanding, but also more entertaining and informative, as healthy eating and lifestyle tips from the pros will be incorporated into the episodes. And all the while, the 'cheat fridge' remains tantalisingly within reach.
The first episode features highlights (and lowlights) of the Joburg and Durban auditions, and an introduction to the contestants. They are:
Banele Mbongwe
Age: 18
From: Pretoria
Weight: 160.0kg
BMI: 58.8kg/m2
This teen loves dancing, going out, making people laugh, being "free" and having fun. Problem is, he also loves eating.
Debbie Joubert
Age: 23
From: Kempton Park
Weight: 119.0kg
BMI: 41.2kg/m2
She is shy and wants to climb out of her shell, and also believes her weight gain has diminished the "sexiness" in her marriage.
Mandla Gaduka
Age: 27
From: Pretoria
Weight: 87.0kg
BMI: 32.7kg/m2
This part-time actor is a confident chap, but is tired of being the only big one in a group and always being the butt of jokes.
Meredith Jones
Age: 30
From: Eldorado Park, Johannesburg
Weight: 101.1kg
BMI: 38.8kg/m2
This divorcee is shy on the inside, outgoing on the outside and wants to fix her image and pursue a career in television.
Natasha Buyane
Age: 21
From: Durban
Weight: 116.5kg
BMI: 42.0kg/m2
Having lost both her parents and the grandmother who raised her, she sometimes feels "out" because of her weight and has always been teased.
Sabelo Xaba
Age: 30
From: Durban
Weight: 126.0kg
BMI: 58.8kg/m2
This entrepreneur loves eating meat, pap and greasy food – but has found that he gets tired easily because of his weight.
Samukelisiwe Hlophe
Age: 25
From: Durban
Weight: 125.4kg
BMI: 45.5kg/m2
A freelance music artist, she is trying to make it big but is painfully aware of the focus placed on image in the entertainment industry.
Selina Baloyi
Age: 26
From: Stemwater
Weight: 124.6kg
BMI: 46.0kg/m2
She gained weight after sitting at home and not working or studying after finishing school. She would like to become an actress.
Sharnee Coutriers
Age: 21
From: Florida, Johannesburg
Weight: 79.3kg
BMI: 30.9kg/m2
This fun-loving student and part-time DJ is on the show because she wants to be healthier, slimmer and more "noticed".
Tiisetso Napo
Age: 28
From: Soshanguve, Pretoria
Weight: 95.8kg
BMI: 42.7kg/m2
She has lost a boyfriend because of her weight and thinks thin people have it easier in job interviews, because of the assumption that fat people are lazy.
We are also introduced to the experts who will be ensuring that the contestants eat correctly, exercise and receive proper medical supervision while learning their dance moves.
The team includes dietitian Dr Faaiza Paruk – who winces when she sees the grease-laden "last supper" the contestants cook for themselves – as well as Dr NT Mthupha, who will be monitoring their health throughout the series.
Then there's trainer Ben Dhlodhlo and choreographers Thabo Tolo and Jerry Lekgethe, who will be putting the contestants through their paces to help the kilos melt off.
We'll also catch up with Soweto resident Nkosana Bembe, who won the debut season of DYBO plus the R100,000 grand prize after shedding an amazing 29.6kg. Has he managed to maintain his weight and change his lifestyle for the better?
Right from the word go, the judges warn the contestants that there will be no more Mr Nice Guy or Ms Nice Girl when it comes to assessing their dance routines. "You must raise the bar," says Somizi. "We'll be very strict on technique and showmanship."
To which Khabonina adds: "We want people to bring out the true dancer in them."
Share in the highs and lows, heartaches and triumphs as the contestants pull out all the stops to go from fat to fabulous.
Winners
Season 1: Nkosana Bembe
Seasons
Series exclusive to SABC1
Season 1 (26 episodes)
Premiere: 12 October 2010 | Finale: 5 April 2011 | Tuesdays, 18h30
Season 2 (26 episodes)
Premiere: 26 July 2011 | Finale: 17 January 2012 | Tuesdays, 18h30