DanceX star Chelsey Reynolds has admitted that she was "devastated" to be rejected by judge Arlene Phillips.

The 19-year-old was sent back home to Skegness, where she works on a bucket-and-spade stall with her father, when Arlene decided not to pick her for the final 16. However, she received a huge shock just days later, when Arlene visited her and admitted that she had made a mistake.

"When Arlene told me I wasn't through to the next round, I was absolutely devastated," Chelsey told The Mirror. "I tried to blink away tears on television but when the cameras left I cried on the phone to my mum. It was my first audition and I wanted it so badly.

"Back on the stall in Skeggie, my head buzzed with plans to move to London for more auditions. So when Arlene tapped me on the shoulder I was so stunned I couldn't speak."

Chelsey has praised her fellow finalists for making her feel welcome, despite the fact she was initially turned down.

"They could have made me feel second-rate but they haven't," she explained. "You might expect some bitchiness as it's so competitive but everyone's so nice."

DanceX continues tonight at 6.40pm on BBC One.