Shephard thrilled to be hosting 'DanceX'

Ben Shephard has said that he feels privileged to be presenting new reality series DanceX.

The host has been involved in a number of high profile shows in recent years, including GMTV, The Xtra Factor and Soapstar Superstar, but a prime time BBC One programme is new territory for him.

Shephard told the Manchester Evening News: "I feel like someone's going to pinch me at some point and say, 'We were only joking, Graham Norton's going to come and do this one. He's had a few weeks off!'

"It's very daunting in a way, because you think about the rich history of light entertainment, the sort of stuff I watched as a kid, the sort of stuff I still watch now. It doesn't feel real."

The show, which starts on Saturday, follows tough-talking Strictly Come Dancing judges Bruno Tonioli and Arlene Phillips as they search for a new dance act.