Cheryl’s rooting for dancing duo
Cheryl has said mentoring duo Lily and Joseph on The Greatest Dancer has reminded her of her own experience as a young ballerina.
The Girls Aloud singer and pop personalit y joined the Royal Ballet's summer school at the age of nine and revealed that the experience has impacted on how she has worked with the children, who train at The Worx - Dance Theatre Arts, in Sunderland.
Eight-year-old Joseph, who is from Boldon, and Lily, who is 11 years old, and who is from Fulwell, earned their place in the show’s finale with a nostalgic routine to Coldplay's Sky Full Of Stars in the semi-final.
They will dance against, Harrison, Michael & Jowita and Dancepoint for the competition’s title when they compete in the final programme of the series which is being screened tonight.
At a photocall in London, Cheryl said she does not think being so young gives the duo an advantage.
She said: "They are the least experienced, people think they are cute, maybe that is an advantage, we like that.
"And they are, which is fair, but they are also excellent dancers and when you look around they are the least experienced in life, in the dance world, and everything else really, so I think to be in the final with their competition is just an incredible achievement."
Lily and Joseph’s families have spoken of their pride in the youngsters after their incredible routines which have been repeated week after week.
The North East region has also united in support of the children, and will be watching with bated breath tonight.
Cheryl added: "Because I've been able to watch this competition through their eyes it reminds me of how I felt and how passionate I was when I was their age.
“And it's not the same as some other shows I've participated in where you're giving them a career, you're just exposing them so that opportunities can come to them, which is brilliant for them at this age, I think,” added the pop star.
"It's amazing, they could get some really great West End shows, you just never know."
*The final of The Greatest Dancer starts at 6.30pm and you can see it on BBC One.