Dancer Xela wins Rochdale’s Got Talent

Talented 11-year-old dancer Xela Mills has been crowned the winner of the Rochdale’s Got Talent competition 2020, which has raised thousands of pounds in aid of Springhill Hospice.

With over 2,000 votes, Xela, a member of Turners Dance Studios, was named the winner of the contest on Monday (8 June) will be presented with the grand prize – a £1,000 jewellery voucher for J&D Alexander on The Walk – next week.

Fellow dancers Alana and Estelle came in second with 1,608 votes, with opera singer Beth in third place, just seven votes behind.

The contest has raised a staggering £8,223.50 for Springhill Hospice, which requires over £3.2 million each year to remain open.

Xela, who signed to professional talent agency LW Kids Casting earlier this year alongside four of her Turners colleagues, decided to enter the contest after both she and her mum, Claire, had seen it online.

They decided it would be a great way to stay occupied during lockdown, as Xela typically spends four hours a night at Turners, six days a week. 

A student at Castleton Primary School, Xela went over the choreography with her dance teachers from Turners via Zoom, as she knew the routines from her classes, before devising and learning the final dance in just two days. 

Mum Claire said: "Xela is over the moon; she's written a list of people who she wants to buy things for and treat with her winnings.

"We screamed the house down when she won. It's such an achievement for her and shows that people do support her and have belief in her. Thank you so much to everyone who supported her and who donated to the hospice, and also the organisers of Rochdale's Got Talent. A big thank you also goes to Turners for their support."

Man of Rochdale Paul Ellison, who organised the contest with Sam Kutereba-Wall, said: “We’ve had a lot of fun bringing this edition of Rochdale’s Got Talent to people’s social media whilst we’ve been in lockdown.

“Huge congratulations to Xela; she is very talented and will go far in the future. We can’t wait to see where her talents take her.

“I’m thrilled we’ve raised so much for the hospice, as they’ve had a real hit with their major fundraising events being cancelled and their shops being closed.

“Springhill is a place close to many of us, and I am pleased we could help support them at such an imperative time.”

 

 

Paul-Michael Jones, of Turners, said: “Xela is a pleasure to have at Turners Dance Studios, always hard working, focused and fun. She trains in all styles of dance from Contemporary, Hip Hop, Street, Freestyle and also our Theatre School.

“Xela has a bright future ahead of her and we are excited to be a part of that.

“Congratulations for your win from everyone at Turners.”

Mr Ellison added: “I would also like to thank Sam Kutereba-Wall for his support and technical expertise; without him, Rochdale’s Got Talent would not have been possible and I’m forever grateful to have had Sam and his skills behind our videos.

“Thank you to all our other contestants and finalists for taking part as we would not have had a competition without you. Of course, a big thank you to our judges; Fiona Briddon from Fab Dance dance school, Dave Sweetmore from Revolution Radio, local hair stylist Gregory Couzens, local pub landlord Ben Boothman, Rochdale's singing jeweller John Alexander (also known as Swinden), Carol Godby from Carol Godby's performing arts school and Alan Newman from Dance For Fun dance school.

“Thank you to those who donated prizes, John Swinden, Ben Boothman, Michael Stewart, Michael Howarth, Deckers, Jo Nixon, Carol Godby, Amelia’s Cupcakes, the Face Clinic, plus our presenter Helen Spratt, toastmaster Alan Calow, Amanda Chadwick, DJs Zac Caulcutt and Docka Rowland, Admiral Labels and Springhill’s own Barbara Lloyd.”

Julie Halliwell, chief executive at Springhill Hospice said: "From myself and everyone here at the hospice I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to Rochdale’s Got Talent in support of Springhill Hospice and to all of those who entered the competition and of course the winner, Xela!

"The online event has been a great success and it has been wonderful to see an event bring people together even through this difficult time.

"The money raised will make such a difference to the hospice and help us continue providing the vital care across the borough."

If you want to support the hospice please donate via the following link:

• www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rochdales-got-talent