DANCERS from Oxford’s Elite Squad Royalz left the Britain’s Got Talent contest with their heads held high after failing to secure a place in the final. 

The team, from Blackbird Leys dance school Messy Jam, were praised by judges after last night’s dynamic semi-final performance, in which they imitated members of the Royal family. 

Despite their best efforts the group, aged between nine and 13, did not gain enough votes from the public, coming sixth. However, the group’s routine proved a hit with judges.

Pop mogul Simon Cowell said: “The first time I saw you I thought you were great; tonight I thought you were fantastic.” 

Fellow judge David Walliams said the group gave a “brilliant start” to the show with a “very original idea”. 
Alesha Dixon said: “I could not keep my eyes off you. It was full of energy.”

The group still have another high-profile performance though, taking to the stage at Oxford’s Common People festival, in South Park, tomorrow. 

Speaking before the show, group founder Ellisha Peart said: "It's all new to the kids. Sometimes they get too excitable and have to calm down; it's a rollercoaster.

Tonight's routine had been kept strictly under wraps but the royal theme - starring 11-year-old Chelsea Cox as Her Majesty the Queen - was back.

During auditions the group toured landmarks in London, including Westminster Bridge, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace and were mobbed by people asking for selfies. Miss Peart said: "They're not used to all this stuff. Now they have to act as role models and be extra-polite.

"Nobody knows we are from Oxford at all. There's not a massive street dance community in Oxford and we are proud to be from here."

She added: "When people see us on TV, everyone will think we're rich and scrub up well, but we do it with the bare minimum.

"We had to go on eBay to get the tops, and customised them ourselves. We make do with what we've got. It shows you don't have to be professional to achieve."

This year marks the 10th birthday of Messy Jam, whose 150 pupils earned a record 177 championship trophies in March.

It is hoped that the TV appearance will encourage Oxford City Council to find the group a place to train of its own, after it lost Jubilee Hall in the Leys several years ago.

Miss Peart said: "When the council moved us out they thought we were just a dance group. We aren't. If kids feel confident it improves their lives. I hope this will wake them up and make them see the kids are worth something."

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Speaking before the show, 10-year-old Luca Tong, from Littlemore, said he was "excited".

He said: "It was really cool meeting the judges. You normally just watch them and never really imagine yourself talking to them. My favourite was Simon Cowell. It's difficult to get him to like you, but if he does you've done something really good."

Mum Samantha, who travelled with the group to London, said the journey from the first audition had been "unbelievable".

She said: "All my children dance with Messy Jam and the older ones really encourage them and give them confidence.

"The first audition was quite daunting as it was the first time they had ever danced in front of 2,000 people. Our hearts went out to them; they looked so small."

Indica Edwards, from Bicester, performed alongside her sister Esme. She said: "It is a whole new dance routine and a fun one."

The group extended its thanks to Oxford City Councillor Linda Smith for her support as well as South East Workwear in Abingdon, which created a set of Elite Squad Royalz T-shirts for the group with just days to spare. Local schools also supported the squad with posters and flyers.

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A scene from tonight's performance

Miss Peart's mother Sharon, who helps with the organisation of Messy Jam, said: "Ellisha never blows her own trumpet but she has given up her career as a successful dancer to make this possible for the children.

"It's her creativity that has got them where they are. As a mother I am just so proud of what she and the children have done."