Popstar Cheryl praises talent and passion of Sunderland's Lily and Joseph ahead of The Greatest Dancer final
Cheryl has said mentoring duo Lily and Joseph on The Greatest Dancer has reminded her of her own experience as a young ballerina.
The Girls Aloud singer joined the Royal Ballet's summer school at the age of nine - and revealed that experience has impacted how she has worked with the children, who train at The Worx – Dance Theatre Arts, in Sunderland.
They will dance against, Harrison, Michael & Jowita and Dancepoint for the competition’s title on Saturday, March 7.
At a photocall in London, Cheryl said she does not think being so young gives the duo an advantage.
She said: "They are the least experienced, people think they are cute, maybe that is an advantage, we like that.
"And they are, which is fair, but they are also excellent dancers and when you look around they are the least experienced in life, in the dance world, and everything else really, so I think to be in the final with their competition is just an incredible achievement."
The North East region has also united in support of the children, and will be watching with bated breath on Saturday night.
Cheryl added: "Because I've been able to watch this competition through their eyes it reminds me of how I felt and how passionate I was when I was their age.
“And it's not the same as some other shows I've participated in where you're giving them a career, you're just exposing them so that opportunities can come to them, which is brilliant for them at this age, I think.
"It's amazing, they could get some really great West End shows, you just never know."
*The final of The Greatest Dancer starts at 6.30pm on BBC One on Saturday.