Walsall dancer set to wow BGT judges
A dancer from the Black Country is hoping her line dancing troupe will wow the millions tuned into tonight's Britain's Got Talent - as concerns grow for salsa star Paddy Jones after she injured herself rehearsing.
Rachael Allman, from Leamore, in Walsall, is part of line dance act CountryVive which has won a place on the first of the live semi-finals of the talent show, which will be screened to tonight.
But the future for Stourbridge's Paddy Jones, aged 79, on the show is in doubt after she is understood to have fallen on Friday as she and her partner Nico Espinosa, 40, practised their routine at her home in Spain, injuring her ribs.
She has been seen by doctors and told to rest in bed by show bosses who hope she will recover in time to perform later this week.
Meanwhile, millions watched as CountryVine were told by BGT judge David Walliams on last night's show that they had sealed their place in the semi-final.
Walsall College student Rachael, 18, today said nerves had been building since they found out they were through, which was actually filmed a couple of weeks ago.
But she had had to keep the news secret from her nearest and dearest, including her overjoyed parents Steve, 47, and 40-year-old Lisa, until all was revealed.
It comes after her father, who works as a lorry driver, inadvertently told friends and family at her mother's recent birthday party that the group had been successful in their first audition at Birmingham's International Convention Centre in February.
Now the dance student and part time counter assistant at Rowlands Pharmacy, in Leamore, says the group are bursting with excitement for tonight's show.
"We are nervous but excited too as it just seems so surreal that this is happening to us," said Rachael who is also being watched on by her sister Becky, 17 and 13-year-old brother Adam.
"It has been a blur since we first auditioned. It was amazing to suddenly be there in front of the judges. Now to have reached the live shows incredible."
The former Frank F Harrison Community School pupil, who lives with her family in Cope Street, first started dancing as a youngster after she was taken to classes by her nan Sue Hill, 62.
After learning various dances including Latin and ballroom she fell in love with line dancing and started to compete in World Dance Masters championships including at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
It is while dancing there that she joined her competitors to form the troupe which now tours the country performing shows.
"We are planning on doing something different on tonight's show."
