‘You should be so proud’ – Cheryl
They may not have won the title but they are Sunderland’s greatest dancers.
Lily and Joseph have won the hearts of the nation with their incredible performances on BBC’s Greatest Dancer, but just missed out on winning the title to dance captain Oti Ma buse’ s duo Michael and Jo wit a.
The two burst into tears as their final routine came to an emotional end on Saturday.
Since exploding onto TV screens in January with their first audition, Lily Straughan, 11, and eight-year-old Joseph Chow–who train at The Worx– Dance Theatre Arts in Sunderland’ s High Street West–have put in months of hard work to make it through to the final show.
For their first dance of the night, the pair were joined on the floor by their captain Cheryl Cole for a ‘breathtaking’ performance to Pure Imagination -describing it as a‘ dream come true’ to dance alongside the Girls Aloud star.
Captain Todrick Hall who was wowed by their ‘dreamy’ routine, said: “I have enjoyed watching you this entire season, you’re great kids on and off camera.”
While Oti Mabuse described the whole thing as ‘perfect’ and Glee star Matthew Morrison used the words‘ beautiful, cotton candydream land’ and added :“I’ m so proud of you, you have represented yourselves so well in this competition.”
For their second number they came out with a routine which cast minds back to their very first audition and the beginning of their adventure.
They couldn’t keep the tears back as they hugged each other and listened to the captains’ comments for the final time.
Cheryl, who was struggling to fight back the tears herself, told them :“Whatever happens you should be so proud of yourselves, you are incredible .”
Earlier in the show the star had commented :“They are just magical. They are the least experienced, the youngest in the whole competition and they have literally sailed through it .”
Back in Sunderland they were not short of supporters either.
At the dance studio, their parents, friends, family and dance teacher all rallied round to wish them luck and show how much the city was behind them.
“The support in Sunderland has been amazing,” said Lily.
“It’s been the best experience of our lives.”
Joseph added :“It’ s been the best thing ever.”