A Kent teenager is performing in front of a global audience of around four billion people tonight – but she isn’t nervous.

Dancer Kate Sparling, of Watts Avenue, Rochester, is taking part in the Olympic opening ceremony.

Kate, 19, had to endure a five-hour audition, followed by gruelling 10-hour rehearsals involving a six-hour round trip from university in Loughborough. But she said it has all been worth it.

The former Rochester Grammar School pupil added: "Because we’ve been rehearsing at the Olympic Park for the last month I have seen it all before everyone else. It feels like you have got a VIP pass.

"I’m really looking forward to it. I’m not nervous. Because it is such a mass event, I don’t think anyone will notice if I make a few little mistakes. As long as I don’t fall over."

Kate has been dancing since she was three and worked with the English Youth Ballet.

She auditioned to take part in the ceremony alongside hundreds of other dancers after her dad spotted an application form online.

Oscar-winning film director Danny Boyle has put together the ceremony and Kate said he has been at every one of their rehearsals.

She explained: "He is always there. He walks around talking to everyone. People can go up to talk to him. It’s not like he is this important celebrity that no-one is allowed to talk to. He’s very involved. He individually inspected all of our costumes and make-up."

Where you can watch the ceremony on a big screen

The details of the opening ceremony are being kept strictly under wraps by Olympic officials and those taking part have been asked to keep details secret.

So Kate was remaining tight-lipped too but she did say it was going to be amazing.

She added: "It will be spectacular. Some of the effects are incredible. They gave me goosebumps when I first saw them."

Are you looking forward to watching the opening ceremony and the Olympics? Leave your comments below.