Hatfield’s James & Oliver make it through on BBC’s Greatest Dancer

PUBLISHED: 20:53 02 February 2019 | UPDATED: 22:28 09 February 2019

Mia Jankowicz

Hatfield dancers James & Oliver performing on the first live show of The Greatest Dancer. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.

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Faced with choreographing a dance with the theme of ‘stairs’, the boys gave us a classic 1920s treat along the lines of Busby Berkeley and Fred Astaire – infused with their distinctly cheeky personalities.

It was a big change from the searing emotional honesty of their earlier “Fraternal Dance”, and showed their versatility.

They also had the daunting challenge of opening the show as the first act.

Hopes have run high since the talented pair - aged just 11 and 17 - reduced Broadway star Matthew Morrison to tears last week, earning them an invitation to join the live challenge stages.

Hatfield's James & Oliver dancing on the first live show of The Greatest Dancer on BBC One. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.

READ MORE: Hatfield dancers through to The Greatest Dancer live shows on BBC One

Along with contenders Company Jinks and Prospects Fraternity, the boys were selected for Matthew’s squad as the show moves forward.

“It was kind of scary at first, but then we got used to it,” said Oliver.

On tonight’s live show, they earned 88.2 per cent of the audience vote.

The two dancers got their training at Hatfield’s FK Dance Academy, and auditioned with an emotional dance choreographed by its director, Kerry Newell.

FK Dance Academy duo James & Oliver opened the first live show of The Greatest Dancer on BBC One. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.

Hatfield dancers James & Oliver's dress run of their routine for the first live show of BBC One's The Greatest Dancer. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.

The Greatest Dancer's three dance captains - Oti Mabuse, Matthew Morrison and Cheryl. Picture: Syco/Thames/Rahul Bhatt.

Hatfield pair James & Oliver during the dress run for their first live performance on BBC One's The Greatest Dancer. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.

FK Dance Academy duo James & Oliver's dress run for the first live show of The Greatest Dancer. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond,

James & Oliver auditioning for The Greatest Dancer. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.

The Greatest Dancer's Oti Mabuse, Matthew Morrison and Cheryl make their decisions. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.

James & Oliver with Alesha Dixon on The Greatest Dancer. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond

Matthew Morrison with The Greatest Dancer contestants, Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.

Jordan Banjo and Welwyn Garden City's Alesha Dixon with The Greatest Dancer contestants on the first live show. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.

The Greatest Dancer's Cheryl, Matthew Morrison and Oti Mabuse with all the contestants. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.

The Greatest Dancer presenters Jordan Banjo and Alesha Dixon on the first live show, Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.

James & Oliver auditioning for The Greatest Dancer. Picture: BBC/Syco/Thames/Tom Dymond.