Pole-dancer Emma Haslam: «It doesn’t matter what size you are» (video)

Curvaceous pole-dancer Emma Haslam surprised the Judges on Saturday with a bold routine.

Amanda told Emma : “For you to get up there and have such good body confidence is a massive example to girls across the country.”

We caught up with Emma to learn more about her assured performance.

“BGT has been great for my confidence," she told BGT Insider. "I’m not the typical size 10 – 12 and it has encouraged me to get fitter. I wanted to get the message out there that it is not about how you look but how much work you put in.

“It was great to see the Judges faces light up when I started my act and their comments meant everything to me."

Emma revealed she has always been interested in dance and acrobatics so bought a pole and taught herself from DVDs.

She picked it up really quickly and a year later was teaching classes.

“I teach all different age groups, men and women," said Emma. "Anybody can have a go, depending on injuries. It doesn’t matter what size you are. If you want to achieve it you can. A lot of bigger ladies use their size as an excuse not to do certain things but it really isn’t one.”

Now she is keen to change people’s perceptions about pole-dancing.

“People still associate the poll with sleaziness," she explained. "But it’s not about that. Yes, it makes you feel sexy but we don’t take our clothes off – we’re not dancing for men. We have to wear skimpy outfits to grip the pole. I couldn’t do it in leggings.”