A WEST End dancer who has worked with stars like Gareth Gates, Pixie Lott, Graham Norton and Alan Carr, is returning to her Gwent dance school to become its principal.

Charlotte May Davies, 24, has performed all over the world but has now returned to Cwmbran to take over as principal of Suzanne Sims School of Dance on March 31.

Miss Davies will take over from her former teacher, and the school’s current principal, Suzanne Sims.

The school, based at St Johns Ambulance Hall on St James’ Field, has around 80 pupils aged between three and 19. They study for grades and perform in shows, festivals and competitions.

Ms Sims will continue as a teacher at the school, which will become the Charlotte May Academy, but wanted to take a back step. She has run the school in the Pontypool area for 22 years and said: “It’s lovely to hand it over to someone you’ve taught.

“When Charlotte became available in Cwmbran we felt it was the right time.

Most of the pupils have already got to know her so she’s already a familiar and popular face. The school’s always kept an interest in Charlotte’s career and she’s inspiring for the children,” she said.

Miss Davies said she felt she had achieved what she wanted to achieve and is excited about this new chapter.

The school will continue to teach ballet, tap and modern jazz but also theatre and hip-hop.

Miss Davies, who is also training to be an examiner for the Associated Board of Dance, was three when she started lessons at the school.

Since then she has performed with the National Youth Ballet of Great Britain and gained a degree in dance and theatre arts at the London Studio Centre, for which she won a scholarship when she was 16.

Miss Davies performed in the UK tour of 42nd Street in 2007 and in the West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat alongside Gareth Gates and Lee Mead.

She was also a backing dancer for Pixie Lott’s UK tour and has worked with the likes of Graham Norton and Alan Carr.

Miss Davies recently finished a tour with The Girly Show, performing in places like Dubai and New York.

For more information about the school call Ms Sims on 01495 785540.