Pussycat Dolls star Kimberly Wyatt in Capital to judge our talent

Published on Saturday 10 October 2009 11:43

SHE is more used to strutting her stuff as one part of pop superstars the Pussycat Dolls.

But this weekend, Kimberly Wyatt will be taking on a new role when she takes a back seat from the dance floor to judge Edinburgh's talent as one of three judges of new TV dance competition Just Dance.

The dance talent show is travelling around the UK to find Britain's best solo dance acts, duos and troupes, with the first round of auditions being filmed at Ocean Terminal today and tomorrow.

Kimberly will form part of the judging panel alongside actor Adam Garcia, who starred with LeAnn Rimes in Coyote Ugly, and Ashley Banjo from dance troupe Diversity – the winners of this year's Britain's Got Talent show.

The 27-year-old joined the host of Just Dance, celebrity presenter Davina McCall, at a mass dance routine – or flash mob – in Princes Street Gardens yesterday, which will also be aired on Sky1 as part of the Just Dance series.

Around 200 schoolchildren practised their moves at the Ross Bandstand, with choreographer Ashley Wallen devising two dance routines to follow to music ranging from Madonna to James Brown.

Kimberly, who is originally from Missouri but now lives in Los Angeles, said: "I'm super excited to be a judge for the show. Dancing was my first passion in life and I always said I would give something back to the dance community.

"Hopefully I can offer them constructive criticism and inspire them to continue to live their dream."

She added: "First and foremost I'll be looking for passion and heart, and then the technicalities – the pointed toes – and all these fun things."

And Kimberly, who has been dancing since she was just seven years old, had plenty to say about Edinburgh.

"I think it's beautiful here," she said. "There is so much history and it's such a pleasure to be here – I love it. I love places and cities that have a lot of history.

"Everyone has a lot of heart here so I think we'll find some great talent – I have my fingers crossed."

Big Brother presenter Davina, who also joined in the dance fun yesterday, added: "I am so excited that the first round of auditions are to be held in Edinburgh – one of my favourite cities.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing how the Scots do in the dance stakes and of course, I'm hoping a few kilts will be showcased on stage."

All styles of dancing are welcome in the competition, from ballroom to break, and Just Dance is open to all ages. The winner will be presented with 100,000. Nine 60-minute episodes will be broadcast on Sky1 HD and Sky1 from early January next year. The first round of auditions kicked off at Ocean Terminal at 11am today.