Becky, 24, is originally from Bangor in North Wales and is fluent in both Cantonese and Welsh. She began dancing when she was two-years-old and had learnt jazz, tap and modern by the time she was 11. Her dancing career has since taken her around the world, having Korea, America, Indonesia, Holland and Spain. Read more & comment »

At 17, Ashley is the youngest dancer in the competition. Before DanceX, she lived with her mum and younger sister in Sheffield whilst studying for her A-levels. Aside from dance, she is an excellent gymnast and trampolinist, having won many gold medals at championships around the country. In her spare time she loves to sing and often writes her own music on the PC at home. Read more & comment »

Kalvin, a 22-year-old Brummy, works as a part time dancer and teaches dance at local primary schools. He started dancing at 15 and over the past seven years has gone on to win over 200 disco dancing championships around the country.

After gaining a BTEC in performing arts he spent a year at Bodyworks in Cambridge before deciding to move to the prestigious Italia Conti School in London. He has provided backing dancing for many stars including Mystique, Kelly Llorenna, Peter and Jordon and the Cheeky Girls. He recently got down to the final audition stage for a new boy band but the auditions clashed with the DanceX recalls. He says getting through to the finals of DanceX is the best thing he has ever done and can’t wait for his family and friends to come and cheer him on.

Prior to DanceX, 19-year-old Chelsey lived in Skegness and worked in a bucket and spade shop owned by her dad. Although being a pigeon-toed toddler, she proved to have a natural talent for dance after attending classes run by her mother, who was once a professional dancer herself. Sending Chelsey home brought tears to Arlene’s eye – so much so that she got a train to Skegness to surprise her and bring her back.

Chelsey took a two-year course in Performing Arts at Phil Winston’s Theatreworks College and has a black belt in Shogun Karate. She loves living in London for DanceX and can’t wait for her family to come and support her in the live shows.

Bobby, 22, a theatre assistant from London began dancing when he was eight, after he found himself down to the final two for the role of young Chaplin in the Robert Downey Junior biopic of Charlie Chaplin but lost out due to his inability to dance. With a degree in Sound Engineering and Music Production from Leeds College of Music, Bobby still enjoys recording music for his friends.

In 2005 he underwent complex surgery on his face which seriously affected his dancing for several months. However he says this experience has made him even more determined to succeed and is desperate to show that he has got what it takes to win DanceX.

Before joining DanceX, 22-year-old Ife worked as an account manager for a chartered accountancy firm. Born to a Nigerian mother in the UK, Ife was adopted at six-weeks-old by a family from Milton Keynes who also adopted five other children as well as having two children of their own, making it a very large family. Ife was born with two extra fingers, which were removed shortly after her birth.

Her love of dance began when she was nine, after her mother took her to the local dance centre. She has had basic vocal training and auditioned for DanceX because there has never been the opportunity for her to combine dancing and singing in the past.

Claire, 23, lived with her boyfriend in Berkshire before she joined DanceX. She started dancing when she was four and wowed the judges at the auditions with her classically trained singing voice.

As a teenager, Claire was bullied about her weight. However, she never let her size put her off ice-skating and went on to perform in public. When Claire decided it was time to tone up, she threw herself into a gruelling fitness regime and strict diet. It was only when she started to go prematurely grey that Claire realised she was pushing herself too hard and reduced the severity of her regime. A self-confessed workaholic, Claire says she likes to have fun but is dedicated to achieving her goals.

Originally from Princess Risborough in Bucks, 24-year-old Camilla has been living and working in Germany for the past three years, starring in the German version of Starlight Express.

With a diploma in musical theatre from the Arts Educational School in London, she spent two years trying to get TV or theatre work before getting the Starlight contract. After getting through to the recalls of DanceX she took the difficult decision to end her Starlight career, leaving her boyfriend behind in Germany. Read more & comment »

Town squares across the UK become engulfed in a sea of leg warmers and Lycra, as hopefuls turn up in their thousands for a series of open-air auditions. As Arlene and Bruno battle the elements and scour the country for the nation’s hottest talent, dancers and singers compete for the chance to perform in front of the renowned judges.

From break dancing pensioners to nimble-limbed teens, auditionees freestyle their way into the judges’ hearts with styles ranging from bangra to ballet. Arlene and Bruno are forced to make some tough decisions as they whittle the dancers and singers down in a series of gruelling call backs. Read more & comment »

Originally from Malta, 23-year-old Emanuel came to England three years ago after winning a TV talent show where the prize was a scholarship to Bodyworks in Cambridge where he is now a student.

Initially Emanuel’s traditional Maltese family were wary about his decision to pursue a career in performance but, after they came to watch him in his first solo performance at college, his Dad told him that he had never been more proud. Emanuel would love to go all the way in DanceX because dancing opportunities in Malta are rare and he longs to succeed so that his parents can come and support him and be proud.

Daniele, 23, comes from Worthing in West Sussex and is half Sicilian, a quarter German, and a quarter English. Determined to pursue a career in performing arts he began dancing at the relatively late age of 18, after he realised that having the ability to both sing and dance would greatly increase his chance of being accepted on his chosen college courses.

He obtained a DaDa (Dancing and Drama Award) to attend the London Studio Centre and has since completed a BA(Hons) in Theatre Dance. He decided to audition for DanceX to make his parents, grandparents and family proud, and adds “all I want to do is entertain people. I want to make them laugh, cry, smile and cheer when I dance and sing”.

Daniel, 19, from Coventry began dancing four years ago when he saw a break dancing crew perform and set his heart on joining them. With no formal training, he went on to win the 2004 Under 18 UK Freestyle Dance Competition. This led to him being awarded a full scholarship for a performing arts course at Bodyworks in Cambridge. Read more & comment »

Rana, 20, was born in London but has lived a privileged lifestyle in both Dubai and America. She started dancing when she was nine-years-old and soon decided that she wanted to make it her career, much to the disapproval of her Muslim mother. Read more & comment »

Arlene Phillips is renowned for her sharp tongue, and tendency to tell things as they are.

Well she has done herself proud this week, when she told the Radio Times that she is worried because so many of the DanceX contestants are overweight.

“I’m looking for gorgeous, unusual, exotic dancers. I think the most important thing is not only that they can dance but also that they’re physically fit,” Arlene said. “I’m afraid I’m not flexible about and size and shape. But some of them look like puddings.” Read more & comment »

Ben Shephard has been talking about his mounting excitement over his new job as presenter on TV show, DanceX.

Ben has presented on many well known ITV shows, but this will be his first foray into the world of BBC primetime.

Shephard told the Manchester Evening News: “I feel like someone’s going to pinch me at some point and say, ‘We were only joking, Graham Norton’s going to come and do this one. He’s had a few weeks off!’ Read more & comment »