Final steps to stardom?

11:03am Wednesday 31st May 2006

A coachload of family and friends will travel to Essex today to support Lana Williams who is dancing her way to stardom.

Lana, of Astley Village, has made it through to the glamorous grand final of BBC's Strictly Dance Fever hosted by Graham Norton.

And the BBC has put on a coach so that proud local supporters can meet up with the 20-year-old starlet before Saturday's big event which will be watched by millions of viewers across the country.

Lana's gran Ruby Hall, of Browns Hey, Astley Village, who has just celebrated her 72nd birthday, will be first on the coach. She said: "I'm absolutely ecstatic for Lana and Darren. They danced beautifully."

Lana, 20, and dance partner Darren Bailey will join the other finalists on a whistle-stop tour performing from Darlington to Milton Keynes and the Lakeside, Essex, where she will meet her family and friends. "We've got a full coach and have had banners made," said a delighted Ruby.

Also on the coach will be Lana's mum Gill, 46, siblings Karl, 27 and Helena, 23, relatives and friends and Miss Jones from the Mar-Jan Stage School in Chorley where Lana started dancing as a child.

Lana and Darren produced their best performances yet in Saturday's semi-final when they scored 10 from each judge.

Lana attended Buckshaw Primary School, Astley Village and St Michael's High School, Chorley. In 2002, she attended the Central School of Dance and Drama, Brentwood, Essex, where she studied classical ballet and tap and jazz.

The Strictly Dance Fever final, which carries a £50,000 first prize and a West End contract, is on BBC1 on Saturday at 6pm and 9.10pm.