Dancers set for Britain’s Got Talent final as LMA prepares for Newcastle launch

Four dancers from the North East will take to one of the biggest television stages in the country this weekend as they perform live in the final of Britain’s Got Talent.

Brooke Ferrand from Teesside, Kai Woodhead from Cleveland, Freya Bowes from Stockton and Faith Green from Hartlepool are all part of the 66-strong dance collective Sadeck Berrabah & LMA, who secured a place in Saturday night’s final following a standout golden buzzer performance during the ITV show’s live semi-finals.

The group, made up of students from creative arts institution LMA in Liverpool, stunned judges and audiences alike with a jaw-dropping synchronised routine described by Simon Cowell as “gobsmackingly beautiful”, while Alesha Dixon called the performance “a breath of fresh air” before sending the act straight through to the final.

The success story comes at a major moment for the North East, with LMA preparing to officially open its brand new Newcastle campus this September as part of a major expansion into the region.

Known for its industry-led approach to creative education, LMA currently operates campuses in Liverpool and London, specialising in Dance, Musical Theatre, Acting, Music, Film, Games and Creative Business Management. The institution has built a growing national reputation for connecting students directly with industry through live projects, major productions, performance opportunities and partnerships across television, music and the wider creative industries.

Its students have performed at major UK festivals, appeared on national television and worked alongside leading figures across music, film and performance, with LMA’s approach built around preparing students for real careers within the creative sector.

The move into Newcastle marks a significant investment into the North East’s growing creative economy and talent pipeline, with LMA aiming to give young people across the region direct access to high-level creative training and industry opportunities without needing to leave the area.

For Hartlepool dancer Faith Green, who graduates from LMA Liverpool later this summer, performing in the final feels like a huge moment not just personally, but for the region too.

Faith said: “We’re really excited for this amazing opportunity. We’re really excited to get out there and show everyone what we can do.”

“It feels like a huge moment for us and hopefully the world will get to see what North East talent is achieving in the dancing world right now.”

Teesside performer Brooke Ferrand said the group are preparing something completely new for Saturday night’s final.

“We’re super grateful for the opportunity and we’re so ready to do LMA proud.”

She added: “We’re really excited to get back on stage and in front of the judges and the incredible audience. To perform in front of such a big crowd is incredible and we know it’ll put us in great stead for the future.”

“We hope everyone will be watching on Saturday. Expect something really big and exciting. This is something we haven’t done before and we can’t wait. Expect new props and a whole new performance.”

Brooke also spoke about the importance of representing the North East on a national platform.

“We are so proud to represent the North East this weekend. Liverpool has given us so much but there’s no place like home. We’re flourishing here on Merseyside but to know our family and friends back home will be cheering us on feels incredible.”

She also believes LMA’s expansion into Newcastle could become a major turning point for creative opportunities in the region.

“LMA opening in Newcastle is an amazing thing. It’s going to be a game changer for regional talent back home. We sometimes struggle for creative opportunities back home, especially for dancers and performers, and this will go a long way to opening doors for people.”

The dancers will perform live in the Britain’s Got Talent final this Saturday on ITV, competing for a place at this year’s Royal Variety Performance and the show’s £250,000 prize.

LMA Newcastle officially opens in September 2026, with applications now open for students across music, performance, dance, media and digital creative courses.

For more info, head to: https://www.lma.ac.uk/