THE dream of being crowned Britain's best dancer is over for a Southampton teenager.

Charlie Wheeller, 19, was voted out of BBC One's So You Think You Can Dance after his performance with fellow contestant Alice Woodhouse failed to win the viewers' votes and judges chose to save other dancers.

His exit on Saturday night was watched by millions of viewers including teachers from Bitterne Park School, in particular Charlie's former dance teacher Karen Roper, who had travelled to London to support him.

Father Mark Wheeller, 53, of Bitterne Park, said it had been a surprise as Charlie had never been in the bottom four in the last two rounds.

"He was devastated, he wasn't expecting it I don't think," he said. "It has been a phenomenal experience. He's a young guy with a bright future and we're proud of him."

Charlie has no immediate plans, but in January is set to return to his degree in circus arts at London's Circus Space, which he had deferred for two terms to appear on the show.