13 year old Luke Mann from Nottinghamshire started dancing when he was 2 years old and trains for 16 hours a week. Luke has a variety of dance styles including contemporary, Tap and Ballet.

However, Luke admits that: “at school people call me names because of my dancing and everybody said to me, they’re just jealous but it’s really hard to know it.”

Mum, Lisa explains “For the first year at secondary school he didn’t’ have any friends at all, he would come home every nigh crying.“

Dad, Barry, continues, “it’s like somebody sticking a knife in your heart sometimes because no one wants to see their child upset but he said no, this is the career I want to do, I’m really proud of him for sticking through it because I know I wouldn’t be able to.”

Before taking to the stage Luke said:  “dancing makes me forget the bad times. I hope that one day I’ll get there and think I’ve done it – I’ve done everything I dreamed of”

On stage he showed just why some of his classmates might just be jealous. He delivered a performance that would grace any stage in the West End. This young man left a huge impression on us here at thetalentzone. His cart wheels, flips, composure, stage presence and the ability to tell a story through dance were, amazing to see from someone so young. Luke also left a huge impression on the judges too. This is what they said following his performance:

Kimberley: “I must say I am extremely impressed with you.. I don’t think I was expecting that. And to have pulled off a routine that is full of aches and fear and all of those feelings is much harder than something that is happier and go-lucky and fun and you did it really, really well. Just continue you are awesome.    

Adam: “Ya, I love it, it was Lord Of the Rings,  it was Gollum. It was Gollum’s split personality, it was a really impressive thing to take on and you were completely successfully at it. You danced beautifully, expressively. I adored it, congratulations.

Ashley: “We talk about musicality. You hit a one and five in the beat. Not with moves but with aerials. For me you are a serious contender. I think it was the right routine. You are one to watch, you are one to watch. Well done.”

Luke passed his audition with flying colours securing 3 gold stars from the judges.

Luke left the stage to support from Davina who had a message for his class-mates, “look what the Judges said!”