DANCE experts have rubbished Strictly star Katie Derham's chances of winning the glitterball trophy - despite making Saturday's final.

The broadcaster made it through the dance off against Anita Rani on Sunday to make the final of the 13th series.

Along with her partner Anton Du Beke, the Radio 3 presenter will face off against bookies' favourite Jay McGuiness, EastEnders star Kellie Bright and former Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote in the final.

But Sussex dance experts told The Argus yesterday the 45-year-old from Horsted Keynes stood no chance of winning.

Dance teacher Alex Skinner, who was taught by Strictly judge Len Goodman, is the principal of East Sussex Dance.

She said: "It's brilliant that Katie's made it to the final. Although she is one of the most improved dancers in terms of her star quality, I don't think she's going to go all the way.

"She has long legs and has done very well to bring them under control. Long legs are an advantage to the ballroom but a disadvantage to the Latin dances, with the quicker steps of the jive and cha-cha-cha."

Miss Skinner, 28, qualified as a dancer aged 16 and went to the World Championships in Blackpool in 2007. She has been teaching for the past 12 years.

On Ms Derham's preparation for the final, she added: "It's about remembering everything your teacher has told you. You just have to go out there and give it all the energy you can."

With more than 50 years of ballroom and Latin experience behind her, Linda Forrest, a retired dance teacher from Lancing, said Ms Derham could come unstuck with her Latin moves.

Mrs Forrest, 68, said: "At the beginning I didn't think she would go very far at all but to get through to the final is very good.

"She's a very feminine lady and looks lovely doing ballroom but she won't beat the youngsters at Latin. It is so energetic these days and Katie isn't. I think she will come unstuck."

Mrs Forrest started dancing in 1961 and has been teaching in Sussex since the early 1970s.

She added: "Jay's got that extra bit of polish that makes him look good on the floor and I don't think Katie has.

"Anybody can learn to dance - you need that extra something, that natural ability."