Published: Wednesday, 12th March, 2008 10:30
‘Kid, you’ve got talent’
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CHAMP: Holly strikes a pose
A DISCO dancing five-year-old is knocking on the door of success — and has even impressed the dreaded Simon Cowell.
Holly McPherson recently got to the third round of auditions for Britain’s Got Talent, where she met the fearsome TV judge renowned for his acid tongue.
The Post told last week how Cowell shot Yoker-based pipers Celtic Spirit down in flames when they auditioned for a place on the hit TV show, telling them they were not sexy enough.
However, Cowell was a little kinder to Holly.
Holly’s mum Nicola said: “It was some experience meeting Simon Cowell.
“He said Holly was the best under five dancer he had ever seen, but that he thought she was too young for the competition.
“We were neither up nor down about it and Holly said she will just wait until she is older, she just chatted away with Simon as if there was no tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Holly has since made it to the ‘Festival 4 Stars’ finals, described as the biggest competition of its kind in the UK.
Holly had to compete against dancers more than twice her age and size in the Glasgow auditions in the under 12 solo dance category to secure her place at Cayton Bay Holiday Park, Yorkshire in September, where the final is to be held.
Holly is performing in the youngest dance age group of the contest.
Nicola told the Post: “Holly was competing against ten-year-olds.
“Her name was called out to say she had got through and I was just sitting there with her on my knee and her gran had to say ‘that’s you Holly, on you go’.
“I just didn’t think she would win because they were all older and bigger than her.”
Holly, from Dalmuir, began disco dancing in her aunt Sarah Turnball’s dance school in Drumchapel, just over a year ago, before joining Robert Hamilton’s Dance Point Musical Theatre Group in Clydebank.
She has participated and won many competitions in the UK including the under fives Scottish Championships, and has just taken part in a competition in Wigan at the weekend.
From the age of four she won a rare sponsorship to have all her costumes made for her.
Holly, who attends Our Lady of Loretto primary, always takes her ‘Annie’ doll with her for support.
Nicola said: “She is doing really well. I think the dancing has been good for her confidence and she has had so many big achievements in her young life.
“It is hard work and expensive travelling to all these competitions, you need to be dedicated, but I hope I have given her the best start — the rest is up to her.”
The family is now looking for sponsorship to help fund travel and accommodation at the grand finals.
Any sponsors will be featured on the Festival 4 Stars website and in the programme of events.
To sponsor Holly email info@festival4stars.com.
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