Strictly Come Dancing has been lighting up our Saturday nights with a spectacular mix of celebrities and professional dancers taking on the ballroom in its milestone 20th series. Yet, it isn't just the dancers that have become a cherished part of British television – the show's distinctive theme tune is equally a star in its own right.
Despite the familiar 'hey!' heard echoing throughout the tune as we watch from September to December, the identity behind this enthusiastic interjection has remained a mystery- until now. Matt Berry, famed for his comedic chops in Garth Merenghi's Dark Place, What We Do In The Shadows', and The IT Crowd, unveiled his surprise role in music history via TikTok, reports OK!
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Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)In footage from PaleyFest 2021 shared during an online panel for What We Do In The Shadows, Matt spilled the beans: "Are you aware of a show called Dancing With The Stars? " followed by a rendition of the theme and the reveal, "So, Dancing With The Stars, the theme goes 'ba-ba-da-da-da-da-dah, dum da dum da dum, HEY! ' And there's a guitar line that's playing underneath it - I'm playing the guitar line, and it's me that goes, 'HEY! '" It turns out, fans of Strictly have been grooving to the same tune, as the BBC show shares its iconic theme with its international counterpart, Dancing With The Stars.
Pop Culture has revealed that Dan McGrath, the man behind Strictly's unforgettable theme song alongside Josh Phillips, is buddies with Matt Berry, having collaborated on shows like House Of Fools. The dynamic duo of Dan and Josh are also the brains behind the catchy tunes for Take Me Out, A League of Their Own, All Star Mr and Mrs, and Alan Carr: Chatty Man
On DigitalSpy's online forum, Strictly enthusiasts were buzzing over the surprising tidbit. One fan spilled the beans: "Have you ever wondered who does the 'HEY! ' in the opening credits for Strictly? It's Matt Berry, star of the IT Crowd and What We Do In the Shadows (amongst other things)." They added, "If you're a fan of Matt like I am, once you know this piece of information, you cannot unhear him! I found out during the summer, and now I laugh every time I watch the titles." Another chimed in: "He's good mates with the composer, Dan McGrath, so it's entirely possible."
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BBC/FX Productions)Meanwhile, a third was astounded: "I've just played back the theme tunes to both Strictly and DWTS and they seem to be the same voice. Who knew! Love it. I've been a fan of Matt Berry's since his Garth Marenghi and IT Crowd days- such a distinctive voice."
But there's more – pop sensation Peter Andre also has his own quirky connection to the Strictly theme. Writing in his OK! column in September, he disclosed his favourites in the 2024 Strictly line-up, rooting for Nick Knowles and JB Gill. Plus, he shared his own link to the iconic theme tune, adding another layer to its rich history. "The man who owned my house before me was the person who wrote the theme tune. He told me the exact spot where he wrote it – which is in my garden. I couldn't believe it!".
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