The 'Keep Dancing Challenge' explained, and how you can take part in the BBC's Big Night In

Last week, we brought you news of the BBC's first Big Night In.

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An evening of entertainment, the Big Night In is designed to celebrate the acts of kindness, humour and the spirit of hope and resilience that is keeping the nation going during the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic.

It will see Children in Need and Comic Relief coming together for the first time to host a special night of television, offering "some light relief and entertainment" during these most uncertain of times.

The show will see appearances from some of the country’s favourite famous faces, and the BBC say it will also include "big surprises, ‘money can’t buy’ prizes, live music performances (from the artists’ homes) and many of your favourite faces coming together."

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One of the show's big components - announced during a technically disastrous segment of The One Show - is the Keep Dancing Challenge.

Here's everything you need to know about it:

What is the Keep Dancing Challenge?

"We are launching the Keep Dancing Challenge," Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly revealed on Tuesday night's (14 April) edition of The One Show.

The challenge "basically involves everyone at home learning a new dance routine with the help of our brilliant Strictly professional dancers."

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Daly was supposed to be joined by her Strictly co-presenter Claudia Winkleman via the magic of webcam, but technical issues saw to it that audiences couldn't hear one half of the duo.

When Alex Jones and It Takes Two's Gethin Jones tried speaking to the pair, Winkleman's feed was entirely muted.

Both Daly and Winklemen saw the funny side, and as the latter could not be heard, it was up to Daly to deliver the news as she stifled her laughs.

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How do I get involved?

The Keep Dancing Challenge gives members of the public a chance to be coached through a Strictly-style routine with help of the show's professionals - all while following current social distancing advice.

Fifteen second segments of the dance will be aired each night on The One Show, and will be posted across social media.

Fans are then encouraged to film themselves tackling the routine, and upload their clips either to the Strictly website, or by using social media and the hashtag #KeepDancingChallenge to upload their submissions.

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Select videos from the challenge will aired during The Big Night In when it is broadcast on BBC One on Thursday 23 April.

What have I missed?

At the time of writing, only the first part of the Keep Dancing routine has been uploaded to social media.

The first part saw Janette Manrara and Aljaž Skorjanec guiding viewers though the opening steps of an energetic Jive-style routine.

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Each Strictly dancer has been assigned 10 seconds of the routine to choreograph - all set to Dua Lipa’s recent single, 'Physical'.

What else will the Big Night In entail?

Despite promises of a packed roster of celebs and musical performances, the live broadcast will respect "all current social isolating government protocols" - which means guests will be appearing via webcam from their own homes.

Arguably the biggest name set to make an appearance for Big Night In is Peter Kay, who'll be making something of a comeback; it will be Kay’s first public appearance since 2017.

Lenny Henry, Matt Baker, Zoe Ball and Paddy McGuinness will all co-host together - at a distance of two metres or more - and Catherine Tate will also be on hand, while Gary Barlow will be performing.

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