HE’S the body popper who has danced his way to final of the country’s top talent show.

Tonight millions of television viewers will watch street dancer Tobias Mead take on the best in the final of Britain’s Got Talent.

But it could all have been so different for the 22-year-old.

Instead of taking to the stage for the ITV final he could have been taking to the pitch at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium.

Tobias had the opportunity to swap his dancing shoes for football boots and the red and white stripes of Saints.

As a youngster he was signed for trials at Southampton, who were then riding high in the Premiership.

But at the age of 16 turned his back on the chance to be a professional footballer for the bright lights of the stage.

Now a professional dancer, Tobias toured with Take That last year. Tonight Tobias will be up against nine other acts battling it out for a £100,000 prize and a slot at the Royal Variety Performance.

Among them are Chandi the dancing dog, boy band Connected, impressionist Paul Burling, singer Christopher Stone, gymnasts Spellbound, dancers Twist and Pulse, and singing granny Janey Cutler, 81.

Tobias, who is from Warminster in Wiltshire, is among the favourites after judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan heaped praise on him.

Simon told him: “Every so often, someone comes along who is just brilliant and I think we’ll remember you.

“You’re super, super talented.”