That Dog Can Dance: X Factor-style dog talent show to be judged by Sharon Osbourne

Simon Cowell is behind this Boxing Day talent contest where five dogs and their owners compete for a chance to appear in Crufts 2013

EastEnders may look to be top dog in the Christmas ratings but That Dog Can Dance could soon chase at its tail.

Simon Cowell’s production company Syco has seized upon the success of Britain’s Got Talent winner Ashleigh Butler and her pet dog Pudsey to bring us a barking mad show this Christmas.

Presented by Christine Bleakley, That Dog Can Dance will see five talented dogs and their owners vying for the title of ‘Best in Show’ to win the chance to perform at Crufts 2013. The judges include Sharon Osborne armed with her little dogs Bella and Rocky- who she is known for kissing on the lips- comedian Bill Bailey and his canine Teddi, as well Ashleigh and Pudsey.

Among the show’s canine contestants is a pair of Jack Russell terriers who think they are Fred and Ginger, and deaf dog Harry who is more cha-cha-cha than Chihuahua. Pudsey will also put in a few appearances.

Osbourne, who has not appeared on a Syco show in the UK since she left The X Factor as a judge in 2007, revealed what she will be looking for in the winning dog: “For me, it’s just the dog. It doesn’t have to do anything. Every dog will get a 10 from me! A dog comes on and that’s it. It’s a done deal.”

Sounds more like Take The Piss than its original title Take The Lead.

That Dog Can Dance airs on Boxing Day on ITV1 at 8pm.