PUPILS from local theatre school, Swish of the Curtain, will be making a prime-time appearance on ITV tonight. The group of 24 children aged will feature in a musical number on the show Keep It in the Family, which is presented by Bradley Walsh at 7.15pm.

The pupils had a month to prepare their chosen musical theatre number Fat Sam's Grand Slam from the musical Bugsy Malone. Filming took place over a whole weekend at Elstree Studios where the children rehearsed on set and got to meet the presenter Bradley Walsh.

They then performed in front of a live studio audience. Principal of Swish of the Curtain, Tina Witham told the Bournemouth Daily Echo: "I am very proud of the achievements of Swish pupils and they never cease to amaze me with the quality, energy and professionalism of their performances - be it on a local stage or a national one such as this."

Pupil Jack Ambrose added: "Performing on the show was a fantastic experience. We got to meet Bradley Walsh who made all of us feel very welcome and excited. My favourite parts had to be having tea opposite the Nana's and getting a birthday cake from the crew along with a signed message from Brad! Overall this experience is one I will remember for the rest of my life."

Swish of the Curtain was first contacted by ITV in April, regarding auditioning for the new series of Keep It in the Family. They wanted the group to perform in a new round where competing families watch an instantly recognisable song from a piece of musical theatre, performed by a group of musical theatre children.

ITV then came down to Bournemouth to watch performances and a few days later they were selected for the show along with only six other theatre schools nationally. This is not the theatre school’s first time performing on TV, as in 2010 they were awarded runners up in Channel 5's Don't Stop Believing.

Swish of the Curtain has schools based in Bournemouth, Christchurch, New Milton, Poole, Ringwood, Southbourne and Winton.

: Keep It in the Family airs tonight at 7.15pm on ITV.