BBC's African summer

BBC1 today revealed it is to dedicate an entire week of its summer schedule to programmes about Africa, with presenters ranging from Bob Geldof to the Ground Force team.

Even Strictly Come Dancing is hot-stepping to the continent for an edition in which, the BBC says, "five celebrities of African origin are each paired with an African dance troupe for intensive training before performing a traditional African dance".

Twenty years on from Live Aid and as Tony Blair's Commission For Africa seeks solutions to vast economic problems, BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey said the channel aimed to prompt viewers to "see the continent in a different light".

Bob Geldof makes an emotional return to the continent but not to plead for aid. Instead he embarks on a personal journey across Africa to discover its culture and peoples.

Writer Richard Curtis has completed a trademark romantic comedy set in Africa, The Girl In The Café, with Bill Nighy and Kelly Macdonald, said to present a "powerful humanitarian message about the willingness of the richest countries to combat poverty in the Third World".

Africa will mean adieu for Ground Force - presenter Charlie Dimmock will broadcast the last episode of the gardening makeover series. Ground Force And The Eden Project will create a "garden for Africa".

Announcing the special week today, Ms Heggessey said: "2005 is a year in which Africa will dominated headlines, thoughts and conversations as never before.

"People will see the continent being discussed and dissected on television, radio, in magazines and papers - and yet very few of the UK audience will have seen or experienced Africa first-hand."

In an unprecedented synchronisation across the channel, African themes will be woven into almost every programme.

In Holby City, consultant Ric Griffin, played by Hugh Quarshie, returns to his native Ghana to work in a charity hospital. A special programme, Trauma In Africa, sees a documentary team following staff at the Johannesburg General Hospital. Rolf Harris will present a programme dedicated to African painting and sculpture and Kwame Kwei-Armah will present Songs Of African Praise. For BBC News, George Alagiah will present a series of special reports.