A DANCER from Paisley has made the grade in the fourth series of Sky1's Got To Dance.

Claire Adam, 25, is the latest in a long line of contestants from the west of Scotland to compete in the hit TV talent quest hosted by Davina McCall.

She combined contemporary, Latin and street-dance styles in her audition in front of judges, ex-Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt, Diversity star Ashley Banjo and Aston Merrygold of JLS.

The call centre worker, who reached the grand final of Strictly Dance Fever with dance partner James McLauchlan in 2005, struggles with her weight and admits she "doesn't look like a dancer".

Claire, who had to be convinced by a colleague to apply to the Sky1 programme, said people often don't believe she is a dancer until they watch her perform.

Scottish acts have punched well above their weight during previous seasons of Got To Dance, which boasts a top prize of £250,000.

Fear of the Unknown, students of the Gorbals school, Dancepoint Musical Theatre, put together by choreographer Robert Hamilton, narrowly missed out on the prize money last year.

Kimberley Wyatt described their routine as an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Fellow Dancepoint troupe, The Box, also choreographed by Robert Hamilton, reached the final of the first series in 2010, while Greenock schoolgirl Lauren Hair won a place in the live final in 2011.

Street dance pin-up Ashley Banjo described the contemporary dancer as "my favourite contender so far".

And seven-year-old dance sensation Mya McDade, from Cambuslang, melted hearts with her act, Sweet Surprise, in last year's final.

maureen.ellis@ eveningtimes.co.uk

n Got To Dance starts on Sky1 HD on Sunday, January 6, at 6pm