Phoenix Boys: The talented golden buzzer dance troupe representing Manchester on Britain’s Got Talent

An incredibly talented dance troupe from the North West are performing live on Britain’s Got Talent tonight (Thursday 30 May). Phoenix Boys, a dance company operating across Manchester, Birmingham and London, wowed the judges when they auditioned in front of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli.

The former Strictly star was so blown away by their routine that she slammed the golden bell so hard it broke. He praised the 37-strong dance group, saying they reminded him of when he was dancing when he was young.

Ben Ross, 17, Oli Edwards, 16, and Felix Schmitt, 9, recalled the moment they realized they were in the semi-finals to the Manchester Evening News. The boys had just three days of rehearsals before their jaw-dropping routine – and now they’re determined to prove they’re buzzer-worthy once again.

READ MORE: ITV BGT fans divided as they perform ‘disappointing’ magic act.

Felix, from Leigh, Wigan, said there was a moment of “shock and disbelief” when Bruno rang the golden bell. Ben, from Urmston, recalled: “I didn’t see Bruno hit the golden bell, I felt something hit my face, I looked down and saw the judges standing up looking to a broken doorbell”.

Ben, who is a first-year dance student at The Manchester College, added that the support online has been “crazy”. “Especially because there are 37 guys dancing, you almost expect negative comments, but there haven’t really been any – just a massive outpouring of support.”

The boys have also been met with overwhelming support from their schools, with teachers and students keen to congratulate them and their towns ‘turning orange’ with Phoenix Boys posters. Ben, Felix and Oli, from Crewe, Cheshire, all joined Phoenix to be taught by male teachers and learn more about male choreography, rather than having to learn the female moves as they would in -a regular class.

Ben also spoke about Phoenix’s positive environment and how he likes to help support the younger boys in class – something which no doubt shone through in the boys’ audition, which you can watch above.

Now the pressure is really on as the dancers prepare to perform live in front of not only the BGT judges and audience, but millions of viewers across the country. Preparations take place while Oli takes his GCSEs and Ben has college courses, homework and showcases.

Ben said of the final: “We’ve got to prove how great we are and keep getting better along the way,” as Felix added: “Simon said Bruno gave us this chance to come to the semi-final and let’s be even better. so we have to come out and show them that we can be consistent and worthy of the golden buzzer every time we perform.”

All three boys’ love of dance began at an early age. Ben was inspired to dance after watching dancer Jack Higgins on Britain’s Got Talent in 2016. At first he tried street dancing but didn’t like it. She switched to ballet, but admits she “cried every time” because she didn’t like it.

Then she moved on to contemporary dance and found her passion. “My workshop at the time changed and became more advanced, so we were pushed and we got better and better. We started doing competitions and that made me realize that I love to dance – dance competitive gives me something to work for,” he said.

Ben, who also attends the KAS Dance Academy, dreams of being a dance teacher. “I love teaching, I teach at my local studio and it’s so important to help and inspire the younger generation,” he said.

Felix was three years old when he took his first dance class. She has progressed to several elite schools and currently trains at Dawson Academy in Bolton, Holly Hulton Dance Academy and Stage Box Manchester and also in Phoenix. Felix, who wants to become a star backup dancer and work at the center of musical theatre, also has plans to one day open his own dance studio to inspire others.

Oli, who also trains at Aspire Dance Academy, has big ambitions to work behind the scenes, explaining: “Phoenix isn’t just a place for dancing – dancing doesn’t have to be your career. It’s a place to love. dance, interact with other guys and spend social time with people you wouldn’t otherwise have. I’m not here to dance, I want to work behind the scenes and stuff like that.”

If the Phoenix Boys make it to Sunday’s live final, they will be in with a chance of winning a coveted place at the Royal Variety Performance, as well as £250,000 in prize money. The money will go towards a permanent venue for the Phoenix Boys to rehearse.

Oli explained how the win and the new facility would make dance more accessible: “It would change everyone’s life – not everyone has the money to travel to train, move to college. Especially since dancing is so expensive – you’re going to audition. after the audition and you might not make any of them, which is an unfortunate truth about this industry.”

Regarding Phoenix’s training, he added, “It’s one thing to get the audition, knowing how to be a blank canvas is another thing you have to know how to do. Phoenix prepares you for what you need to know.”

Phoenix Boys is a national dance associate program currently running in London, Manchester and Birmingham, offering extra training to budding dancers with no auditions involved.

Britain’s Got Talent continues tonight on ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm. The final will be broadcast on Sunday, June 2, at 7:30 p.m.