Young city dancers set to become TV stars in bid to find new home

Feb 4 2010 By Tristan Stewart-Robertson

The Box

A GROUP of young Glasgow dancers have vowed to win over the public - and net £100,000 in prize money - to get themselves a proper home.

The Box gave The Glaswegian a sneak peek at their rehearsals as they prepare to hit the nation's TV screens on Sky1 show Got To Dance.

And the 13 youngsters have promised viewers they won't be disappointed when they watch the live semi-final, which is just days away.

The Box won rave reviews from judges and audiences when they first appeared on the programme, hosted by Davina McCall.

Viewers were thrilled by their unique style, starting in a box on stage and bursting out to show off a dazzling range of dance styles.

The public will have just six minutes to vote on February 7 to get The Box into the live final, so Scottish support will be crucial.

And the prize money would give a huge boost to the group, who currently have to rehearse above a Glasgow bar, without mirrors, heating, male toilets or a proper floor and lighting.

Choreographer Robert Hamilton, 33, who has performed in Cats and Fame in the West End and as a dancer for Robbie Williams, put The Box together from dancing school pupils just two days before the first auditions for Got To Dance.

He said: "They have had to work so closely with each other, their stamina has improved and they have progressed as people.

"It's easier to teach them because they're excited. They're buzzing - you're having to tell them to calm down all the time."

Robert added: "We will keep this group going forward no matter what now."

Just two Scottish entries made the final 18 in the contest, and the other, 11-year-old Emily Crow from Loch Tay, has already been voted through to the live final.

Holly McPherson, seven, plays a key role in The Box's semi-final routine.

She said: "I've been dancing for four years. It's dead exciting. I like learning all the different styles and I want to do The Box for the rest of my life."

One of the two boys in the group, Ryan Smith, 12, added: "My friends didn't believe I was on TV. My whole school knows me now.

"I think we will be able to convince the public to vote for us."

The thirteen dancers are: Michelle,15,Stephanie 14, Kayleigh, 13, Becky, 12, Nicole, 12, Ryan, 12, Taylor, 10, Kiera, 10, Ellie, nine, Sky, nine, Josh, nine, Jay, eight, and Holly, seven.