AN ASPIRING dancer has shown he’s got what it takes on national TV.
Tom Lloyd, 14, of Rhos, Wrexham, has made it to the semi-finals of Sky 1 HD reality series Got To Dance after a blistering performance in front of the judges.
Now the youngster is hoping to make the leap from the primetime to the big time.
Tom, a pupil at Ysgol y Grango in Rhos, said: “I’m so pleased. I got really good comments from the judges, and this means I’m down to the final 30.”
The young street dancer has known for a little while about his success, but producers of the program wanted it kept secret until the big reveal on Sunday.
He said: “It was really bad as I wanted to tell people, but you just can’t. In school when people mentioned it or called me names, I thought – ‘well, if only you knew’!”
Rave reviews from the judges, including Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, JLS star Aston Merrygold and Ashley Banjo, leader of dance troupe Diversity, put the youngster one step closer to the top prize of £250,000.
Away from the Dance Dome, Tom said his family has been keeping him buoyed up.
He said: “They are just really supportive. So have the pupils at school, which surprised me to be honest. I’ve had people saying they will be watching it over and over again and they really like it. I was expecting a bit of teasing actually.”
Tom said one of the best things about the show has brought his hobby into focus.
He said: “I’ve got a friend at school called Chloe who is also a dancer, so it’s nice we’ve can talk about dance practice and meetings.
“And there’s a lad a few years below me who messaged me and said my audition inspired him, which was good. My school really wants me to get involved with the Wrexham County Borough Sports Awards. We went in as a group one year, but this time I’m taking part as a solo act.”
A natural talent, Tom has never had any formal dance lessons, but spends hours every day practising his moves and watching Youtube videos for tips.
He said: “My mum (Dawn) used to like dancing when she was younger. She was into disco. She’s got good rhythm and I think maybe I get it from her side of the family.”
He joked: “My dad (Andrew) maybe not so much.
"He’s got years of experience in dad dancing, doing the two step with a drink in his hand! But maybe we could do a duet sometime.”
Tom, who was inspired to start dancing when he saw a Michael Jackson video years ago, said he felt lucky to have got this far.
He said: “I really didn’t think I would but I’m pleased that I’ve done it. I’ve got some new moves for the semi-final but I’m not going to tell anyone about them in case I spoil it. You'll have to watch it on TV!
“I don’t know how far I can go but I know I really, really want to get to the final and try my best to get a good place. And, most of all, I want to enjoy the experience.”
Tom is not the only home-grown talent to feature on the show.
Eddie’s Angels, a Llangollen-based dance troupe which includes members from Ruabon, Wrexham and Acrefair also caused a stir at the end of January. Dance leader Eddie Clark is still strutting his stuff despite being just three years shy of the big 100.
Episode 8 of Got to Dance goes on air on Sky2 today at 7pm, but viewers will have to wait to see if Tom will make it through to the finals.