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Sixteen finalists revealed for DanceX
The 16 finalists to perform in the live finals of DanceX were revealed tonight (Saturday 14 July) on 91Èȱ¬ One.
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In the show, hosted by Ben Shephard, top choreographers Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli go head-to-head as they search for a sensational new dancing and singing group.
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The finalists are...
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Ashley Shaw
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At 17, Ashley is the youngest dancer in the competition. Before DanceX, she lived with her mum and younger sister in Sheffield whilst studying for her A-levels. Aside from dance, she is an excellent gymnast and trampolinist, having won many gold medals at championships around the country. In her spare time she loves to sing and often writes her own music on the PC at home.
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Having been the victim of bullying at school, in her early teens she suffered from low self esteem to the extent that she wouldn't let anyone take her photo. However since starting college her life has turned around and she now relishes being in front of the camera.
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Becky Leung
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Becky, 24, is originally from Bangor in North Wales and is fluent in both Cantonese and Welsh. She began dancing when she was two years old and had learnt jazz, tap and modern by the time she was 11. Her dancing career has since taken her around the world to America, Indonesia, Holland and Spain.
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She auditioned for DanceX when her friend saw an ad for aspiring dancers but only she made it through. She admits she is excited but terrified that she will freeze on live TV.
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Bobby Windebank
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Bobby, 22, a theatre assistant from London, began dancing when he was eight, after he found himself down to the final two for the role of young Chaplin in the Robert Downey Junior biopic of Charlie Chaplin but lost out due to his inability to dance. With a degree in Sound Engineering and Music Production from Leeds College of Music, Bobby still enjoys recording music for his friends.
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In 2005 he underwent complex surgery on his face which seriously affected his dancing for several months. However he says this experience has made him even more determined to succeed and is desperate to show that he has got what it takes to win DanceX.
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Camilla Hardy
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Originally from Princes Risborough in Bucks, 24-year-old Camilla has been living and working in Germany for the past three years, starring in the German version of Starlight Express.
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With a diploma in musical theatre from the Arts Educational School in London, she spent two years trying to get TV or theatre work before getting the Starlight contract. After getting through to the recalls of DanceX she took the difficult decision to end her Starlight career, leaving her boyfriend behind in Germany.
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Asked about her motivation for DanceX she describes herself as dedicated, driven and hard-working. She says she has been training her whole life to do this.
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Chelsey Reynolds
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Prior to DanceX, 19-year-old Chelsey lived in Skegness and worked in a bucket-and-spade shop owned by her dad. Although being a pigeon-toed toddler, she proved to have a natural talent for dance after attending classes run by her mother, who was once a professional dancer herself. Sending Chelsey home brought tears to Arlene's eye – so much so that she got a train to Skegness to surprise her and bring her back.
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Chelsey took a two-year course in Performing Arts at Phil Winston's Theatreworks College and has a black belt in Shogun Karate. She loves living in London for DanceX and can't wait for her family to come and support her in the live shows.
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Claire Mealor
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Claire, 23, lived with her boyfriend in Berkshire before she joined DanceX. She started dancing when she was four and wowed the judges at the auditions with her classically-trained singing voice.
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As a teenager, Claire was bullied about her weight. However, she never let her size put her off ice-skating and went on to perform in public. When Claire decided it was time to tone up, she threw herself into a gruelling fitness regime and strict diet. It was only when she started to go prematurely grey that Claire realised she was pushing herself too hard and reduced the severity of her regime. A self-confessed workaholic, Claire says she likes to have fun but is dedicated to achieving her goals.
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Daniel Uppal
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Daniel, 19, from Coventry began dancing four years ago when he saw a break-dancing crew perform and set his heart on joining them. With no formal training, he went on to win the 2004 Under-18 UK Freestyle Dance Competition. This led to him being awarded a full scholarship for a performing arts course at Bodyworks in Cambridge.
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Daniel auditioned for DanceX in London after his mum encouraged him to give it a go. Confident in his abilities, he believes that success is a matter of "when", not "if", and is certain that one day he'll make it.
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Daniele Arbisi
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Daniele, 23, comes from Worthing in West Sussex and is half Sicilian, a quarter German, and a quarter English. Determined to pursue a career in performing arts he began dancing at the relatively late age of 18, after he realised that having the ability to both sing and dance would greatly increase his chance of being accepted on his chosen college courses.
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He obtained a DaDa (Dancing and Drama Award) to attend the London Studio Centre and has since completed a BA (Hons) in Theatre Dance. He decided to audition for DanceX to make his parents, grandparents and family proud, and adds "all I want to do is entertain people. I want to make them laugh, cry, smile and cheer when I dance and sing".
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Emanuel Tabone
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Originally from Malta, 23-year-old Emanuel came to England three years ago after winning a TV talent show where the prize was a scholarship to Bodyworks in Cambridge where he is now a student.
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Initially Emanuel's traditional Maltese family were wary about his decision to pursue a career in performance but, after they came to watch him in his first solo performance at college, his dad told him that he had never been more proud. Emanuel would love to go all the way in DanceX because dancing opportunities in Malta are rare and he longs to succeed so that his parents can come and support him and be proud.
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Ife Kuku
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Before joining DanceX, 22-year-old Ife worked as an account manager for a chartered accountancy firm. Born to a Nigerian mother in the UK, Ife was adopted at six weeks by a family from Milton Keynes who also adopted five other children as well as having two children of their own, making it a very large family. Ife was born with two extra fingers, which were removed shortly after her birth.
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Her love of dance began when she was nine, after her mother took her to the local dance centre. She has had basic vocal training and auditioned for DanceX because there has never been the opportunity for her to combine dancing and singing in the past.
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Jamie Meek
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At 27, Jamie is the oldest dancer in the competition. He began dancing when he was seven years old as way of keeping fit, following a chubby childhood. He went on to win disco dancing titles including Disco Kid UK, Mediterranean Champion and even World Champion.
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Originally from Birmingham, he moved to Liverpool when he was 12 to join the Elliot Clark Performing Arts School. He went on to complete another performing arts course in Coventry before joining a boy band called Jump The Lights. Since then Jamie has gone on to tour the world with a dance show called Spirit Of The Dance. He is looking forward to the challenge of DanceX and wants to learn new and complex styles that he has not experienced before.
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Kalvin Lamey
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Kalvin, a 22 year old Brummy, works as a part-time dancer and teaches dance at local primary schools. He started dancing at 15 and over the past seven years has gone on to win over 200 disco dancing championships around the country.
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After gaining a BTEC in Performing Arts he spent a year at Bodyworks in Cambridge before deciding to move to the prestigious Italia Conti School in London. He has provided backing dancing for many stars including Mystique, Kelly Llorenna, Peter & Jordan and the Cheeky Girls. He recently got to the final audition stage for a new boy band but the auditions clashed with the DanceX recalls. He says getting through to the finals of DanceX is the best thing he has ever done and can't wait for his family and friends to come and cheer him on.
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Marcquelle Ward
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Marcquelle, 23, from Manchester, has only been dancing for two years but has performed at a number of large events including Party In The Park and Notting Hill Carnival. A keen basketball player, he has won numerous competitions. His past jobs include working as a sales assistant and model, but he says entertainment is all he has ever wanted to do.
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Having impressed the judges at the auditions with his rapping abilities, Marcquelle is now keen to go all the way, saying that nothing is too great a challenge when he sets his mind to it. He turned down a role in Hollyoaks for the chance to be part of DanceX.
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Marie McGonigle
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Marie, 23, from Kent first began dancing when her mum took her along to ballet classes when she was three. After graduating from Masters College in Kent with a qualification in performing arts and dance, she spent her time auditioning whenever she can.
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When not attending auditions Maria has a number of jobs including teaching dance to primary school children and assisting at a school for people with learning difficulties. She also writes songs, plays keyboard and sings in a band consisting entirely of ginger-haired people called The Troubled. She is relishing being part of DanceX as it has given her the chance to just be herself and do something she loves.
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Phoenix
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Phoenix, a 25-year-old Londoner, fell in love with dance after taking a performing arts course at his local college. Since then he has gained more dancing experience undertaking a BTEC national diploma in dance at Lewisham College, dancing at fashion shows and clubs and teaching street dance at his local gym.
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Phoenix is also a talented gymnast, with back flips and tumbles built into may of his routines. He says he dances everywhere he goes and his ultimate dream would be to dance with Janet Jackson.
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Rana Roy
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Rana, 20, was born in London but has lived a privileged lifestyle in both Dubai and America. She started dancing when she was nine years old and soon decided that she wanted to make it her career, much to the disapproval of her Muslim mother.
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At 16 she moved back to London to join the London Studio Centre, where she graduated last September, and has since gone on to work professionally dancing in music videos for Mel C and Calvin Harris. When asked about her motivation for DanceX she says the programme will give her the perfect combination of dancing and singing.
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AC2
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DANCEX FINALISTS
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