Thamesmead teenager gears up for Got To Dance live semi-final (From News Shopper)

Thamesmead teenager India Bowen gears up for Got To Dance live semi-final

11:11am Tuesday 19th February 2013 in Bexley By Tim MacFarlan, Bexley and north Kent reporter

A THAMESMEAD teenager has boogied her way to the semi-final of a major TV dance competition.

India Bowen is part of the IMD Legion street dance crew - which stands for Intelligent Minds Dance - who wowed the judges of Sky 1’s Got To Dance show to reach the live semi-final this Sunday.

The 16-year-old former Bexley Business Academy pupil specialises in popping and hip hop styles and was brought into east London-based IMD by founder Omar Ansah-Awuah in September.

The Wolverton Road resident currently attends Reynolds Performing Arts College in Dartford and is one of the senior members of the 20-strong group for 11-16-year-olds.

IMD auditioned for the programme last autumn and received the coveted three gold stars from pop-star judges Aston Merrygold, Kimberley Wyatt and Ashley Banjo.

They then survived the vetting process to go into the final 30 and the third of five live semi-finals at 6pm on February 24 hosted by Davina McCall.

The group will also be competing against their coach and solo performer Wild G for a place in the top 10.

India said: "I’m confident and excited but nervous as well because it’s a big show and we haven’t done anything like it before.

"To get to the final's a dream of mine and I love dancing.

"I've always been doing it since I was little.

"Dance is a great way to express yourself and I feel happy when I do it.

"If you’re angry or anything doing dance kind of takes it all away."

Proud Mum Jayne is travelling to Sheperton studios in Middlesex for the live show.

She said: "I'm really proud and really nervous but the group are brilliant so I think they'll do well."