A DANCER from the North-East will tonight bid to achieve his dream of turning professional by winning the final of a top television talent show.
Darrien Wright, 21, has called on the whole of the region to help him and dance partner Hollie Robertson take the title of BBC's Strictly Dance Fever champions.
Darrien, from Darlington, is one of only six people left in the competition, after more than 20,000 dancers auditioned for the show earlier this year.
Now, he and Hollie, of Ludlow, Shropshire, will dance against two other couples in tonight's live final - and stand to win a £50,000 prize and dancing roles in a top West End show.
Darrien and Hollie have impressed the panel of four judges and viewers alike with their dance routines, and gained the only 40 out of 40 score of the whole series for their milonga.
All three couples took part in a live show in Darlington on Wednesday, with Darrien and Hollie receiving a rapturous reception. The couple, who were last night second favourites to win, with odds of 11/4, will perform three dances - the milonga, guapacha and freestyle - live on BBC1.
Speaking exclusively to The Northern Echo as he prepared for "the biggest night of my life," Darrien said winning the competition was his dream.
"I can't believe I'm through to the final, it's absolutely brilliant, but now we want more than ever to win," he said.
"I'm so excited, but more determined than ever to win. Dance is all I have ever wanted to do. Dancing is my life, I want this so much.
"This is such an exciting week, and really busy too. Coming back to Darlington and dancing in front of all those people, and seeing all my friends and family in the crowd was just unreal.
"I can't believe how many people are supporting us, and I want to say thank you so much to everyone. It's so good for us to know that there are people out there backing us.
"But I'd ask people to please help Hollie and I achieve our dreams of becoming professional, and vote for us to win the competition."
The Strictly Dance Fever final is on BBC1 tonight at 6pm.
To vote for Darrien and Hollie, call 0901 121 2410.
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