A KIDDERMINSTER dancing star has placed high in the finals of a prestigious dance competition in Blackpool.

Daniel Richards, aged 17, came second in the Dance Master 2019 competition at Blackpool Winter Gardens on Sunday, June 9.

Daniel has been performing since the age of four and currently attends Splinters Dance Studio in Kidderminster, where he has been training since the age of 10.

During this time Daniel has performed in festivals around the country, winning several medals and awards.

Recently, Daniel performed at the All England regional finals in Cheltenham and qualified for the final in Buckinghamshire where he will be dancing later in the year.

Representing Wyre Forest, Daniel performed a musical theatre piece entitled ‘Why God’ where he was up against 17 other hopefuls from around the country.

After placing second in the final, Daniel also gained the Ros Wicks Award, which is given each year to the Miss Dance or Dance Master competitor who shows the most vocal potential.

The dancer currently attends the Birmingham Ormiston Academy where he is studying musical theatre.

Daniel told The Shuttle: “This was a great opportunity to be involved in.

"I felt quite nervous representing Wyre Forest in such as a big competition.

“It was amazing to be placed where I was.

“To come so high up in the rankings when the competition was so tough.

“It’s a well known competition within the dance theatre industry and this was a good stepping stone for me."