DanceX finalist has spoken of her devastation at Arlene Phillips decision to send her home from the DanceX finals.

“When Arlene told me I wasn’t through to the next round, I was absolutely devastated,” Chelsey told The Mirror. “I tried to blink away tears on television but when the cameras left I cried on the phone to my mum. It was my first audition and I wanted it so badly.

“Back on the stall in Skeggie, my head buzzed with plans to move to London for more auditions. So when Arlene tapped me on the shoulder I was so stunned I couldn’t speak.”

Chelsey has praised her fellow finalists for making her feel welcome, despite the fact she was initially turned down.

“They could have made me feel second-rate but they haven’t,” she explained. “You might expect some bitchiness as it’s so competitive but everyone’s so nice.”

DanceX continues tonight at 6.40pm on BBC One.

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.