TEENAGER Robert Sharples took a great 'step' towards stardom when he danced on television yesterday.

Robert, 16, is studying for his GCSEs at St Bede's High School, Blackburn, and is planning to go on to a performing arts course at a Preston College.

He was one of four talented youngsters to be picked to perform on the show Steps To The Stars presented by Claire and H from the chart-topping band Steps.

Robert, of Crosby Close, Darwen, is one of just 28 acts to be appear in the series and was selected an initial 3,000 entries.

He danced to Britney Spears track You Drive Me Crazy and at the end of the show viewers got the chance to vote until midnight tonight for their favourite performer. If he wins he will earn a place in the grand final and the overall winner will appear on Live and Kicking and spend a day with Steps.

Robert sent in a video of him dancing and had to go to an audition in Manchester to be selected for the show

He has been dancing for the three years at the Bernese School of Theatre Dance, in Blackburn, where he is learning jazz, modern and tap.