SEVEN lucky south Essex youngsters will be appearing on stage with...the one and only Justin Bieber.

The children, who are all members of iDance Academy, based on Canvey, were chosen to dance along with the pop sensation during his latest tour, called Purpose, at the 02 Arena this week.

Toby Green, seven, Freya Rooney, nine, Olly Green, 11, Summer Robinson, 11, Teagan Hawkins, ten, all of Canvey, and Cerys Shaw, 11, and Daisy Smiles, ten, both of Benfleet, have been selected to perform on stage alongside the star.

They will dance in pairs during Justin Bieber’s song Children during the sell-out event.

The youngsters have been practising hard with their teacher, Sian Taylor, to ensure that they shine while on the stage in front of 20,000 people.

Sian, who set up the academy ten months ago, explained: “I am a dancer myself and I have danced professionally.

“I was contacted by a friend who said that Justin Bieber’s creative team was looking for children to perform in one of his songs called Children.

“The song is about inspiring children and they wanted some children to be a part of the show during that song.”

She taught her students the dance moves and recorded them performing the routine, before sending it off to be considered.

She was thrilled when the youngsters from the academy, which has 140 dancers, were picked to be in the performance.

They will currently only appear for the London dates, but if their appearance proves popular they could also appear on stage in Manchester and Birmingham when Justin Bieber performs there.

The children are all excited to be performing with the Canadian star, whose songs include Love Yourself, What Do You Mean, I’ll Show You and Baby.

Summer said: “I am really looking forward to it as it is a great opportunity.

“It is going to be really good fun.”

Teagan added: “I am really excited to be performing on the stage.

“I have always wanted to meet Justin Bieber as I am a big fan of his.

“I understand the routine so I think it will be fine.

Olly added: “It is a really fun opportunity to perform on stage with him.

“We have been through the routine quite a few times so I am confident I will remember it.”

Cerys said: “I am nervous but excited.

“I haven’t done anything like this before, except for performing in a choir but I wasn’t really on stage then,

“I am a bit nervous to be performing in front of this many people but I think I will enjoy it.”

Other dancers at the academy have been involved with Next, River Island, Mothercare, Channel 5 and House of Fraser. The sold-out Purpose tour is at the 02 arena four four nights before heading to Manchester and Birmingham later in the month.