After the SABC's botched mess of agreeing to pick up a 4th season of Come Dine with Me South Africa earlier this year and then embarrassingly losing the show after failing to sign contracts in time, the show will return to BBC Worldwide's BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) where the previous 3 seasons aired.
The 4th season would have started broadcasting on the SABC's SABC3 channel in July with SABC3 that ran a call for entries on the channel but the revival of the South African show was abruptly scuppered with the SABC that
Now BBC Worldwide has picked up Come Dine with Me South Africa for a 4th season that will be broadcast in 2018.
In April 2014 BBC Worldwide said the ITV Global Studios Entertainment format show won't see any further local South African seasons on the BBC's channels in South Africa/Africa that started in 2011, as it's looking for a new locally produced format show for South Africa.
BBC Worldwide ended up going for The Great South African Bake Off that's already broadcast two seasons and production underway on a third season, produced by Rapid Blue.
Now Come Dine with me South Africa, also produced by Rapid Blue and again based on the ITV Studios Global Entertainment format, has been picked up by BBC Worldwide again after an absence of three years, with the show that is returning for a 4th season on BBC Lifestyle.
Each episode follows four strangers as they alternate hosting the others with dinners in their homes, with the winner that stands a chance of winning R10 000. The 4th season of Come Dine with me South Africa is now looking for South African contestants with people who can enter at BBCSouthAfrica.com until 6 August and with filming that will start later this year.
The 4th season of Come Dine with me South Africa will have 12 episodes and will be broadcast on BBC Lifestyle in early 2018. The Come Dine with Me format is now produced in 34 countries worldwide including Germany, France and Australia.
The show that delivered several stand-out South African characters during its first three seasons, says it aims to be "bolder, bigger and better than ever" when it returns and episodes will be filmed in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
"Come Dine with me South Africa quickly established itself as a South African sensation, taking us into the dining rooms of some of the country's most intriguing characters," says Joel Churcher, BBC Worldwide's general manager and vice president for Africa, announcing the show's return.
"I'm pleased that BBC Lifestyle is joining forces with Rapid Blue once more to offer a distinctly South African take on a hugely popular international format".
Come Dine with me South Africa is commissioned by Kirsty Hanson, BBC Worldwide commissioning editor who says that BBC Worldwide remains "dedicated to bringing shows that delight and entertain our audiences across the globe".
"The Come Dine with Me format has proved to be a consistent hit and we are very excited to cast the hopeful contestants for the 4th season and showcase all of the vibrant, fun and vivacious personalities found in South Africa."
