Sunderland’s Lily and Joseph Rock 'n' Roll their way to the semi-final of The Greatest Dancer

Lily and Joseph performing their Rock 'N' Roll routine to You Can't Stop The Beat on BBC One's The Greatest Dancer. Copyright Thames/Syco - Photographer: Tom Dymond

Lily Straughan, 11, from Sunderland, and eight-year-old Joseph Chow, from Boldon, who train at The Worx – Dance Theatre Arts in Sunderland, made it through to this week's BBC One show following their stunning performance last weekend.

Tonight, Saturday, February 22, they were given the task of dancing in a Rock ‘n’ Roll style, with the youngsters filling their routine with flips, splits, cartwheels and spins as they performed to You Can’t Stop The Beat from Hairspray dressed in biker jackets decorated with their names.

As the Alesha Dixon and Jordan Banjo-fronted show played out, they were awarded the highest audience score with 95.6% – before they were later beaten on that front by fellow North Eastern group Brothers of Dance from Hartlepool – before viewers were invited to vote at home.

Both acts, who are led by dance captain Cheryl, jumped with delight alongside their superstar mentor as they were told the news they had been saved from the chop.

The semi-final will go out next Saturday at 6.30pm, with Vale knocked out of tonight’s show.

Lily admitted the routine had proved “tricky" for them, while their teacher Keeran Greener told viewers in a preview she “couldn't be prouder” of the work they have put into their routine.

Judge Todrick Hall told they had “definitely proved Rock ‘N’ Roll is a dance style” adding they put 100% into the show, which will see the winner take home £50,000 and get the chance to showcase their skills on Strictly Come Dancing later this year.

The Greatest Dancer dance captains Oti Mabuse, Matthew Morrison, Cheryl, Todrick Hall gave their options on the dance routines performed by the seven remaining acts to appear in tonight's show. Photo copyright Thames/Syco - Photographer: Tom Dymond.

He also told them the American theatre director Jerry Mitchell, the original choreographer of Hairspray, was in the audience, with fellow panel member Matthew Morrison saying he would approve of their take on the track’s moves.

Fellow judge Oti Mabuse remarked they had brought “so much fun and loved every single minute of it” adding a well done to the pair, while Cheryl highlighted how they had struggled with the fusion challenge, telling them she was “so proud” of them.