A part-time A&E receptionist, who trained as a ballet dancer, has wowed Sky1 judges with her hip-hop routine, despite only learning a year ago.

Holly Palmer, 23, of Goodmayes, is one of 15 dancers in Collective ENT. who impressed celebrity judges with their dancing skills, carrying them through to the next stage of the dance talent show, Got to Dance.

Collective ENT., based in Southwark, grew from a collaboration between Hamilton Evans and Kieron Proverbs and is now made up of dancers aged between 17-28 years of age.

The former Mayfield High School, Pedley Road, Goodmayes, pupil, said: “I trained as a classical ballet dancer and I had never done hip-hop until a year ago, when Hamilton encouraged me to join his class.

“I was terrible at first but he thought I had potential and now I absolutely love it.”

Got To Dance, which returned to our screens earlier this month, with new judge, Aston Merrygold, is looking for Britain and Ireland’s best new dance act, who will win a cash prize of £250,000.

Holly, who has been dancing since she was four years old, said: “It is fun dancing with the group and we get to share the experience.

“I was very nervous at first. We are now training twice week to try and get to the live finals.”

The judges will select the final 30 groups on Sunday, who will then compete across five live shows before the public vote for their favourite on March 17.

The part time receptionist at King George Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes, added: “All my friends and family were quite relaxed about the show at first, but now they are paying more attention because it’s getting a lot more real.”