A Dundee youngster will follow in the footsteps of her idols when she appears in the children’s version of the TV show Strictly Come Dancing.
Eight-year-old Chanelle Mason is among just 40 children chosen from a pool of hundreds for Strictly Kids 2019, which will help to raise money for the STV Children’s Appeal.
The Downfield Primary pupil, who has been dancing since the age of four, wowed judges at auditions recently and will now head to the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow in May for the final, taking place in front of an audience of over 700.
Her mum, Michelle Ballingal, said the whole family was “so proud” of her.
She said: “She’s a huge fan of the show. She watches every kind of dancing programme on TV.
“She’s done ever so well. It will be an amazing experience. I always knew she’d be a dancer as she’s loved it since she was wee.
“Hundreds of kids from all over Scotland entered it so we just didn’t know if she’d get selected. It’s such a big pool.”
She said she Chanelle was in with a chance when she saw the judges’ reactions during the auditions.
“She narrowly missed out in the first ever Strictly Kids last year so she’s over the moon she has made it this time,” she added.
Chanelle will now be paired with a boy partner before they embark on a gruelling weekly training regime much like that experienced by celebrities in the hit ITV show.
Already a member of Dundee’s Dance Sensation club and Kirkton Kids gymnastics, she will be taught ballroom and Latin dances by experts in Glasgow over the next three months.
Michelle said Chanelle’s school was right behind her and had even put on a special assembly highlighting her achievement.
Michelle added: “They got her up on the stage and the whole school was clapping her.
“They have really supported her and made her feel really proud.
“She’ll be working hard from now until May. ”
She intends to set up a fundraising page so Chanelle can collect as much as possible for the appeal, fronted by weatherman Sean Batty and Dundonian TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, which raises cash for children and young people affected by poverty.
