Two Islington students knocked out of BBC talent show
Two Islington students who wowed the nation with their dance skills on a BBC talent show were kicked off the programme this weekend.
Charlotte Scally, 20, and Israel Donowa, 18, who both study dance at the Urdang Academy, in Rosebery Avenue, Finsbury, had reached the last eight of So You Think You Can Dance.
But following a double elimination in Saturday’s live quarter finals, the pair will be heading home early.
Charlotte, who lives in Birchmore Walk, Highbury, and works as a barmaid at the Compton Arms, in nearby Compton Avenue, said: “It was just a bad week, one of those things. I was a little bit ill and I just didn’t dance on top form.
“I have had the best time I have ever had in my life. I know it sounds cheesy, but to be given this opportunity was amazing.
“Hopefully this will be the start of a long career – this is the first job I have ever had in the industry and it was the best thing that could have happened to me.”
Fellow contestant Israel, who grew up in neighbouring Hackney and was the youngest contestant on the show, is also upbeat about the experience. He said: “Getting knocked out was a bit of a shock, but I am actually feeling really positive. This has given me a really good platform, so I am really excited and happy to get started on my career.
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“I graduate from Urdang next week, so I will keep working hard and go to loads of auditions.
“I don’t think I did anything wrong as such on Saturday, it was just my lack of experience. All the other contestants have been dancing forever. I spoke to the judges after the show and they said to keep doing what I was doing and I would have a bright future.”
