Student's DanceX final agony

Ashley, aged 17, was part of Arlene Phillips’ line-up in the Saturday night BBC One show and had high hopes of her team winning a record deal and going on tour with R 'n' B star Rihanna.

But her dreams were dashed when opposing side Team Bruno - put together by Bruno Tonioli - swept to victory in last weekend’s final.

However, mum Joy Shaw insists it’s not the end of Ashley’s showbiz ambitions.

Joy, of Horndean Road, Firth Park, said: “This is definitely not the end, it’s just the beginning. It was a bit of a shock when the team lost in the final but that’s life.

“Now Ashley is waiting for a call from London to go for an audition for the British Pussycat Dolls and Arlene wants to put her group from the show back together and carry on working with them.

“Ashley was surprised and upset at Saturday’s result but, when she’d got herself back together, she said some lovely things about Arlene and the rest of her team and she’s accepted what’s happened. She’s going to be fine.”

A former gymnastics champ, Ashley had wowed TV audiences with her singing and dance routines during the seven-week series.

She also won hearts after admitting her athletic physique as a gymnast had led to bullying by other girls at school and had contributed to her giving up the sport.