91Èȱ¬

Bubbly jazz dancer with a penchant for shoe shopping.

Charlie, at 19, is the youngest competitor in the competition. She loves dance so much she went in to full-time training from the age of 10. Now that she's left college, she's ready to make her mark on the dance world and sees SYTYCD as the perfect opportunity to do so.

Charlie began dancing aged three and started lessons properly aged seven. By the time she was 10, her talent was recognised and she took up a scholarship to Arts Educational School where she trained before moving on to Laine Theatre Arts. She has starred in panto but has yet to score a West End musical. Charlie says her dream role would be Roxie in Chicago.

She loves running and swimming, and goes to the gym at least twice a week. She's competent in ballet, jazz, contemporary, Latin and ballroom and is keen to embrace the competition.

91Èȱ¬town?

"Leicestershire – I live in South East London now."

Favourite song to dance to?

"Pop, r 'n' b. Artists like Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake – that kind of music."

Greatest dancing fear?

"Falling on my bum! I always have that fear of fluffing up and falling over."

Best physical feature?

"I'd probably have to say my hair. Everybody knows me by my mad curly hair."

Worst habit in dance?

"Whenever a choreographer is giving us details I always do my own thing in a routine instead of doing the exact details we're being given. I find it hard to take in detail."

Most embarrassing moment on stage?

"Oh... I was doing a ballet show for National Youth Ballet and I went to do a split leap and I had pointe shoes on and the floor was slippery... naturally I went flying, my skirt went in the air, and I went bang on my bum. With an audience of nearly 2,000 people I was pretty embarrassed."

How did you get into dance?

"I got into dancing as soon as I heard Michael Jackson. My mum would put his music on and at the age of three I'd be dancing around and doing kicks. I just had something inside me that made me want to dance."

Where did you train?

"Arts Educational School in Tring from 10 to 16, then at Laine Theatre Arts, from 16 to 19. I've literally just left."

What's your favourite type of dance?

"Jazz/contemporary."

What's it like working on a TV show?

"Absolutely amazing. It's everything I ever dreamt of. I always wanted to work in TV so I'm over the Moon to be here."

Are the judges as scary as they seem?

"I think Nigel's a little bit scary sometimes but I like the fact that they give you lots of feedback and push you. I like to be pushed: I think they're great."

What are your future plans?

"I haven't thought that far ahead! I've only just left college and I'm just really happy for this to be the first big thing I do. For the moment all I'm thinking of is enjoying this moment."

Why did you enter the competition?

"Because no other show allows you to be you and I think this show is brilliant for that. I personally like to do my own style, whereas if you're in, say, a West End show you have to be the same. And because I've always watched the US version of the show and absolutely loved it."