X FACTOR star Amelia Lily Oliver made an emotional return to the Middlesbrough theatre where she learned the skills to become a pop star.
She surprised members of Fuzion Dance School - which she attended for nine years - at its annual Dance Sensation show at the Middlesbrough Theatre in Linthorpe last night.
None of the audience knew Amelia was in the house until she made her surprise appearance at the end of the show - and pandemonium broke out.
Fuzion founder Vicki Ahmed said: “As the curtain opened, it was electrifying - a sea of students surrounded Amelia. There were hugs, kisses and children standing completely in amazement.
“Amelia got really emotional while on stage, reflecting about her time at Fuzion.”
Amelia said her return to the theatre has been “emotional and nerve-racking”.
“I was more nervous about this than when I performed on the X Factor,” she said. “This theatre means so much to me. I grew up here and learned all I know on that stage. It’s amazing to be back.”
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The 17-year-old returned to Teesside for the weekend to see family and friends ahead of a busy schedule promoting her first single Bring Me Joy, which is due for release on September 2.
And the Nunthorpe star, who came third in last year’s X Factor, said it has been great to be back on her “home turf” with dad Barry and mum Aranka.
“I love it when I can come back home,” she added.
“Unfortunately, I don’t get to do it often and that does upset me.
“I miss my family so much. I am very close with my mum and dad. But all the time I know I am doing this for Teesside.”
Amelia said she was “overwhelmed” by the support she received from her home town when she returned to the area with her X Factor mentor Kelly Rowland before the final of the show last year.
“When we drove into the close where I live there was hundreds of people in the street waiting and it was absolutely freezing,” she recalled. “I couldn’t believe it; I just hugged my mum and we both cried.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for all the support they have given me.”
Amelia brought boyfriend Ollie Mack, whom she has been dating for eight months, to Teesside for the weekend.
She added: “I still can’t believe that a year ago I was at Middlesbrough Theatre taking part in the show and now I am releasing my first single.
“One of the reasons I wanted to come to this year’s show was to show all the dancers that your dream can come true.”
