91Èȱ¬

Multi-talented, a fantastic musician and web designer in his spare time.

Born in August 1987, Robbie grew up in the village of Marple near Stockport. A hyperactive child, Robbie's parents chose to channel his ebullient energy by sending him to dance, gym and music lessons.

As a child he was a member of the Northern Ballet Theatre Association where he played the role of a young Heathcliff in David Nixon's Wuthering Heights.

He went on to teach this role to other boys as he got older. During this time, he worked with Les Miserables composer Claude-Michel Schonberg who encouraged him to follow a musical theatre career rather than limit himself to ballet as Claude-Michel thought Robbie was a great all-rounder.

After his AS levels, he went to Laine Theatre Arts and studied a diploma in Musical Theatre. Following his training he worked as a dancer at Disney in Tokyo which was followed by a role in his favourite musical, We Will Rock You, in Germany. He is currently playing the role of Daniel Kublbock.

Favourite song to dance to?

"Not sure about songs... I usually tend to pick big emo-rock songs, anything which stirs an emotion in me I love to dance to."

Greatest dancing fear?

"I think if the entire audience took an instant dislike to me, en masse... that would be pretty bad!"

Best physical feature?

"Well, my height is a mixed blessing, but I quite like the fact that I'm tall."

Worst habit in dance?

"Not being sharp enough."

On stage most embarrassing moment?

"I once dislocated my shoulder during a performance and carried on until the end, but that wasn't so much embarrassing as excruciating!"

How did you get into dance?

"I was hyperactive at about the age of three, and I think it was wise of my parents to channel this by my taking ballet classes."

Where did you train?

"The Cardwell Theatre School in Altrincham, then later on I got a scholarship to attend Laine Theatre Arts School and trained there."

What is your favourite type of dance?

"To do, it would be contemporary, but to watch... I think I like watching anything that shows off a degree of excellence. I get just as much enjoyment watching really good hip-hop dancers as classical."

What is it like working on a TV show?

"Amazing. Absolutely fascinating! I'm just trying to take it all in – it's very busy, lots of fun, amazing people."

Have you bonded with the other contestants?

"Absolutely – an amazing group of people, really good mates."

Are the judges as scary as they seem?

"Nigel Lythgoe is an absolute force – he's a shiny golden god of dance, for what he's doing with the Dizzy Feet Foundation and for people's attitude to dance in general – it's all brilliant. Arlene is a force to be reckoned with in the world of musical theatre, too, which is where I come from. Her name is synonymous with great musical theatre. I respect them both so much."

What are your future plans?

"Definitely something creative. Maybe create a show or a company where every form of creative expression is celebrated in its most brilliant form. Bring together a group of the most phenomenal dancers, the greatest musicians, the best singers and mash them all together in this giant creative rainbow of excellence... a massive variety show that satisfies every audience."

Why did you enter this competition?

"I'm a massive fan of the US show, it's the only thing I ever watch. It's phenomenal. But I didn't realise how much I would love it, and how much I wanted it, until I got into it. I'm loving every day."