12:10pm Wednesday 10th March 2010
By Daniel Binns
AN ASPIRING dancer is jumping for joy after getting through to the final stages of a national competition judged by Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity.
Charli Payne, 11, of Buckhurst Way in Buckhurst Hill, impressed the dancing group – who shot to fame after appearing on the hit ITV show – with her energetic routine.
The contest has been organised by the Government as part of its 'Change4Life' national health campaign – featuring a plasticine family - which aims to encourage the public to exercise more.
As part of the competition entrants had to perform their own version of a Diversity dance and then send off a film of the results to the group.
Charli, who goes to Woodford County High School, said: “I'm a big fan of Diversity because I like all the moves they make so I'm very happy to get this far in the competition.
“I did the dance moves they provided but I also added some of my own. I want to become a professional dancer when I'm older and I'm very pleased.”
She now has an anxious wait to find out if she has won.
Diversity choreographer Ashley Banjo said all the finalists had impressed.
He said: “It was great to see so many kids getting up and giving our routines a go.
“It was really hard to choose the top ones but we’ve narrowed it down and look forward to dancing with the winner.”
The winner will get the chance to enjoy a dance workshop with the group and will receive tickets to their next UK tour.
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