A DANCER who has reached the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent said he is proud to represent his town.

Raphael Badawi, from Eastbourne, is performing in the semi-finals tonight with London-based street dance group IMD Legion.

The group is one of 40 acts selected by judges to go through this year’s semi-finals. Eight teams will make the final in total.

Eight teams compete in tonight’s semi-final, which is one of five semi-finals. Two more acts still go through into the final from tonight's show.

The Argus: IMD Legion are performing tonight. Picture from IMD LegionIMD Legion are performing tonight. Picture from IMD Legion

Raphael said: “I am so thrilled that we’ve been selected to go through to the BGT semi-finals and cannot wait to perform for the judges again, in front of a live audience, on live TV.

“It’s going to be an amazing experience and I’m going out there to represent Eastbourne.

"I really hope I’ll get the support of everyone in the area when it comes to the public vote.”

The Argus: The dance group's members range from 11 to 35. Picture from IMD LegionThe dance group's members range from 11 to 35. Picture from IMD Legion

This year’s semi-finals see one act go through with the public’s vote, while the another will be voted into the final by the judges.

IMD Legion founder and CEO, Omar Ansah-Awuah, said: “It’s been fantastic to perform again on BGT, the world’s biggest talent show, and I could not be more proud of my team and my dancers for making the semi-finals again.

“After missing out on a place in the final in 2015 by just a fraction of votes, we put everything into our audition and have been working tirelessly to bring a powerful new performance to the live semi-finals that will wow the judges, thrill the public, and get everyone’s vote.”

The semi-final tonight is live from 8pm at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London. The final of Britain’s Got Talent will be shown on Sunday, June 5.

The winners of the show get £250,000 and the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance on December 1 this year at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

This year’s winner will be the first in two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.