After Charlie Bartley secured a grand final spot on So You Think You Can Dance, a “tidal wave” of fans almost swept him off the stage.
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At the end of Monday night’s elimination show, his father Peter Bartley raced to the stage to congratulate his son.
“I gave him a long hug, told him I loved him and well done,” Mr Bartley said.
Charlie got to see friends and family briefly before fans swamped him.
“A tidal wave of fans swept us away from him,” Mr Bartley said.
“(There were) hundreds and hundreds almost pulling him off the stage.”
It has been his fans who voted that secured his place in the grand final, which is just three weeks away.
The winner will receive $200,000, the chance to perform on the American version of the competition, overseas dance opportunities and the title of Australia’s favourite dancer.
The remaining three finalists will earn themselves $10,000.
In the audience for Monday night’s elimination show, it “seemed like eternity” to Mr Bartley before Charlie was safe.
“I must admit my knees were knocking,” he said.
When Charlie was safe, Mr Bartley put his head in his hands.
“I think I missed a lot of what was happening onstage,” he said.
Charlie has dropped from the spot as favourite to win the competition, on Sportingbet Australia.
Talia Fowler is the new favourite to take out the competition, with Charlie following closely behind.
Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said Charlie was beginning to look vulnerable towards the business end of the show.
Next week Charlie will be back on stage with the rest of the top 20 dancers.
There will be no elimination next week and viewers will not have the opportunity to vote.
April 19 will be the first top four-performance show, where Charlie will perform a variety of routines.
Voting lines will be announced during the show, but will not open until the show finishes.
In the week leading up to the finale on April 26, voters are able to vote for Charlie as many times as they wish.
The winner will be determined solely on viewer’s votes.
morgan.downs@ruralpress.com