Cheerleaders took to the biggest stage of their lives on Saturday by performing for over eight million people on The X-Factor.

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Unity Allstars perform their acrobatic routine behind Nicholas McDonald

A team from Rose Hill based cheerleading squad the Unity Allstars performed with X-Factor finalist Nicholas McDonald as he sang a version of Candy by Robbie Williams on Saturday's show.

The performance, which featured 28 members of the Unity Allstars' black squad, helped Nicholas progress from Saturday's final three into a head to head showdown with eventual winner Sam Bailey.

The cheerleaders put on an energetic routine behind Nicholas despite only having a day to rehearse.

Programme director Tori Rubin said: "We got the call on the Wednesday before and were able to rehearse the day before but that was it really.

"They had the time of their lives - they absolutely loved it. They met the contestants, they met [presenter] Dermot O'Leary.

"There were so many people there and so many watching that I think there were some nerves but I think they were probably more excited than nervous.

"The performance and being on that stage was just incredible.

"I think Nicholas enjoyed having all the cheerleaders around him - it would have been nice if he'd won but the ones who come second go on to do better anyway!"

Unity Allstars was founded in 2006 and is based at Sutton Sports Village in Rose Hill. It is now one of the most successful cheerleading groups in the UK with athletes ranging from five-years-old to 30-years-old and eight teams including a special needs team.

Ms Rubin added: "To be honest we do get quite a lot of calls from shows like Britain's Got Talent and things like that but we are a competitive cheerleading squad and they are after something more dance based so it was nice to be able to go out and do it and show what we are capable of."

To find out more about Unity Allstars visit the group's website.


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