Last updated at 14:17, Wednesday, 23 May 2012

DANCER Faye Clough has been training all her life for a chance on the big stage – and there are few bigger stages than the Olympics closing ceremony.

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OVER THE MOON: Faye Clough, 19, from Ulverston, will be dancing in the Olympics closing ceremony HARRY ATKINSON REF: 50033844B002

A global television audience in excess of one billion people will be watching when the 19-year-old from Ulverston performs at the Olympic Stadium on August 12.

Miss Clough endured a gruelling audition process and then a nervous two-month wait before learning she would be part of the closing ceremony cast.

“I was so chuffed when I found out I would be performing at the Olympics – just to be a part of it is amazing,” she said.

“I applied to audition in London last year and I thought my chances were pretty slim, but I got a call back and went along to a second audition.

“The email said it would be six to eight weeks before we found out and I think mine must have been dead on eight weeks.

“When I finally got the email, I just ran around screaming, I was so happy.”

Miss Clough, whose parents Jackie and Dave both still live in Ulverston, started dancing at the age of three and was a frequent presence on stage in local productions.

She credits two local dance teachers – Christine Jamieson from Ulverston Victoria High School and Louise Walton from Dance Connect in Ulverston – with her success. Two years ago, after finishing her studies at Ulverston Victoria High School, she was accepted to study dance at Kingston University in London, and she still lives in the capital.

With a career in modern dance beckoning after graduation, she said she was undaunted by the prospect of performing on such an occasion.

“I don’t usually get nervous dancing anymore because I’ve done it for so long,” she said.

“I guess I might be a little nervous, but it all depends on how many people I’m performing with and what kind of style it is.”

Miss Clough begins rehearsals in the coming weeks and will be sworn to secrecy about the content of the closing ceremony.

First published at 13:27, Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk