Dog dancing finalist cheers for her 'idols'

A talented teenager and her dog from near Whitchurch who narrowly missed out on winning Britain's Got Talent two years ago, today tipped fellow dancing duo Tina and Chandi to go one step further.

Kate Nicholas, of Norbury, close to the north Shropshire border, and her moonwalking dog Gin reached the final of the ITV1 hit show in 2008 but lost out to young break-dancer George Sampson who scooped the most votes.

He won £100,000 and the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Show, but Kate and Gin have since gone on to become a huge success and regularly appear on TV shows in the USA.

But 18-year-old Kate today claimed that Tina Humphrey and Chandi, of Shrewsbury, have always been her "idols".

She said she had been following the duo on TV and said it would be "great" if they scooped the title in Saturday's live final.

Kate said: "I have known Tina and Chandi for a long time and I think they will do really well in the final.

"There's lots of dogs that do doggie dancing and each dog has their own unique characteristics. Gin had only been doing it for a year when we were on.

"I have always been in awe of Tina and Chandi and Gin has competed against her when she first started and Tina and Chandi have been competing for a very long time so they were always my idols."

Kate said she can remember how nervous she was in the final but said she has not looked back since.

The former animal management student at Reaseheath College near Nantwich, said: "I have done all sorts since the show and have done a lot of TV work in the USA. I have got three dogs who dance in Gin, Ice and Twist."

In addition to her work abroad she has also had a book published and has appeared on numerous TV shows in the UK.

Kate and Gin wowed judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden by including a routine in which Gin moonwalked backwards on her hind legs. In the final the pair performed the first routine they ever learned.