The country’s only all-male Latin and Ballroom dance team has secured a place in the live semi-finals of Sky One’s TV talent contest Got to Dance.

One Sutton man, Graham Ashwell, is a member of Guyz in Sync who will contest their semi-final live on Febnruary 6.

The same-sex group are comprised of 12 dancers, aged 27 to 50, who first came together to compete at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) World Outgames in Copenhagen in 2009.

In their first competition they took the gold medal and in August last year they brought home the silver from the Gay Games in Cologne, retaining their title as the world's best all-male Latin and Ballroom formation team.

Mr Ashwell, who teaches Gresham Primary School in Sanderstead, said: “Being in the Got to Dance semi-finals is very exciting and there is a lot at stake.

“We are squeezing in as much rehearsal time as we can and it’s a challenge to juggle that with my job.

“Showing the viewers our cheeky new routine will make it worth the effort in the end. If the audience can’t wait until then, they can join us on Facebook for all the latest news.”

Got to Dance is the groups first major step towards bringing the exciting world of same-sex Latin and Ballroom dancing to a broader public.

Hadass Armon, co-director of Studio LaDanza, London and coach of Guyz in Sync, said: “I have worked with same-sex dancers for many years.

“This is an amazing opportunity to bring the beauty and power of same-sex dancing to a wider audience. I am so proud that the team has come this far.”