Talent winner glad to be back in school

Andy Brownstone
Newsbeat reporter

Over 14 million viewers tuned in to watch George Sampson's routine

Britain's Got Talent winner George Sampson has told Newsbeat that he is delighted to be back in school following his victory at the weekend.

After wowing the nation, the 14-year-old breakdancer returned to a hero's welcome at Birchwood High School in Warrington on 2 June.

He still had to sit a mock GCSE music exam before signing autographs for his fellow pupils.

"The best bit about it all was going back to school," he told Newsbeat.

"I had an assembly with all the kids and everyone went mad. I saw all my old friends, it was so good to be back. I had to do loads of autographs."

Dance routine

Up to 14 million viewers tuned in to watch the teenager's routine to a club re-mix of Singing In The Rain under a shower of water on 31 May.

When they shouted my name I went blank, I went blank, I was just dreaming George Sampson

He was due to perform a Bee Gees track in the final but an hour before he went onstage and after consulting judge Simon Cowell, he opted for Singing In The Rain, a dance routine he choreographed himself.

George said: "When they shouted my name I went blank, I went blank. I was just dreaming, totally dreaming. I absolutely loved it."

The victory, which saw him collect £100,000 and a chance to dance in front of the Prince Of Wales at the 2008 Royal Variety Performance in December, was particularly sweet for the teenager who this time last year, was knocked out in the preliminary stages of the contest.

Mother's mortgage

George, who honed his act by busking in Manchester city centre, plans to spend his winnings on paying off his mother's mortgage.

George has already been back to school to sit a music exam

He has been dancing since the age of six and has performed with Warrington's Popskool, which is co-run by Spike Dawbarn of 90s pop group 911.

George suffers from a rare condition called Scheuermann's disease, which affects developing bones in children and teenagers and can cause a curvature of the spine.

"I do have a curve of the lumber spine and it cranks up sometimes and can be a bit painful," he explained.

"But it doesn't stop me dancing. The doctor says I'm allowed to dance. I'll be dancing for the rest of my life."

George's dream is to be a hip hop dancer in American dance videos.