A BUDDING Barrhead dancer has won a prestigious role in this year’s Pavilion panto.

Charlie Gardiner, 12, has just came home from the trip of a life-time to New York where she underwent a gruelling dance training programme.

But the hard work has paid off for the St Luke’s High School pupil who has now been named amongst the top young performers and dancers who will appear on the big stage alongside stars such as Michelle McManus, Johnny Mac and Stephen Purdon.

Proud mum Sylvia Graham spoke to the Barrhead News this week, revealing how talented Charlie had been dancing on and off since she was a toddler.

Sylvia, 47, said: “She is so excited to be given this opportunity and it’s her second year in a row because she took part in last year’s show too.

“I can’t wait to go and see her perform — I don’t think there could be anything prouder for me than seeing my daughter on the Pavilion stage.

“It’s such a big show and a massive part of the season in Glasgow — she’s been dancing on and off since she was a young girl and it’s amazing to see what she’s able to do now.” The Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow hosts a pantomime every year with light hearted variations on classic tales, this year it is Treasure Island.

For the last 18 months Charlie has been dancing with the Robert Hamilton Dance group in Glasgow, and they have just returned from two week in New York where they underwent hours of training.

Sylvia said: “She was kept really very busy and it was hard work, they could be dancing from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon and it was very tiring for all if them.

“But she loved every moment of it and they did get to go out and do the whole tourist thing and visited places like Ellis Island and all the big tourist attractions in the town.” Charlie has ambitions to move into theatre work when she is older and continue her dancing career.