Diversity 'overwhelmed' by talent show win

The groups choreographer Ashley Banjo, 20, said: "I didn't expect it, really didn't expect to win at all. I thought there's no chance at all. We were just going to do our best."

Bookies avoided huge payouts with Boyle's surprise defeat.

Banjo went on: "She was so gracious about it, she said the best act won and backstage she said she saw something special. She was so nice about it."

He said he is confident she would have a "great career" anyway.

Group member Terry Smith, 24, volunteered to kiss the 48-year-old spinster who reportedly had her first smooch with judge Piers Morgan.

While the 11-member troupe seemed taken aback at the sudden media attention, they joked as they spoke to journalists and showed an obvious affection for one another.

The group includes three sets of brothers.

When asked about what their dream was now, Ian McNaughton, 25, who works for a City law firm, said: "It's still early days, there's so much out there to do. We've got the Royal Variety Performance and the tour as well, but we're open to anything."

Ashley Banjo added: "I don't think a street dance group, especially from the UK, has come as far as we have. We can almost create our own path."

He even mooted the possibility of the group getting their own television show.

They said they had not slept since their victory last night, and Smith said they had been "just floating".

He went on: "It's hard to explain, we've had no sleep, we can't sleep - it's impossible."

Banjo, a science graduate, said he was so convinced that the group would lose, he had a speech prepared congratulating Boyle, and his "legs gave way" when the result was announced.

Banjo said Boyle "wouldn't be human" if she wasn't disappointed about coming second, but that she had been even more magnanimous backstage than in front of the cameras.

Diversity met members of the media at a record company office in west London today, but said they did not know how pop mogul Simon Cowell would make money from them because they "can't sing".

Banjo said: "It's a new thing, a street dance group. Obviously with George (Sampson) last year he was a solo dancer so it's completely different to a group of people, so that's something that I can't answer. However, he wants to make money out of us, he can do it."

The group's ages vary from 13 to 25, but despite the difference in their height they managed to put in fantastically well-timed performances throughout the competition.

Banjo said they already had a natural bond and had known each other for years before forming the group.

He said he hopes their hard work will inspire other young people.

Hollywood actress Demi Moore was reported as having said Diversity were fantastic.

Reacting to her praise McNaughton said: "I'm lost for words, I don't know what to say. Seriously, that's amazing."

The group will now perform in front of the Queen at The Royal Variety Performance in December.

Banjo said: "We're going to work on something, we want it to be amazing. The same way we worked hard for the competition we're going to work just as hard, harder, for the Royal Variety."

He revealed that they were inspired in their first ever dance performance by the death of a family friend Sylvie in 2006 who fought a long battle with cancer.

The emotional distress shown by young finalist Hollie Steel, 10, who broke down in tears during her semi-final performance raised questions as to whether children should be allowed in the competition.

McNaughton said two 13-year-old members of the group, Perry Kiely and Mitchell Craske, were well equipped to cope.

He said: "These two guys are the most down-to-earth guys you'd ever meet. We've got no worries about that."

Banjo, referring to Perry's afro hairstyle, joked: "That's just big hair, not a big head."

Describing his feelings, Mitchell said: "I don't know how to explain it, it feels so good. Winning yesterday, I still haven't taken it in."

Perry said: "Winning yesterday, I'm just speechless. I haven't really taken it in yet because I haven't had much sleep, I'm just gobsmacked."

The group won a £100,000 (€114,292) cash prize as part of their victory, and IT graduate Terry Smith promptly said he would use his share to pay off his student loan.

Banjo said: "The money's better than a kick in the head, but it's just an extra for us."

Diversity will now take part in the 'Britain's Got Talent' tour along with the nine other finalists next month.

In an entry on her Twitter website, Boyle supporter Demi Moore said of the dancers: "Diversity was amazing and so incredibly humble. I love that!"

According to show organisers their biggest appearance before Britain's Got Talent was being paid £150 (€171.43)to appear in a fashion show at a shopping centre in Essex.

The group was first founded in Dagenham.

Choreographer Banjo said he draws inspiration for their show-stopping routines from a variety of sources including films, music videos and adverts.

Diversity took 24.9% of the public vote last night, above Boyle's 20.2% share. The contestant in third place, saxophonist Julian Smith, gained 16.4% of the vote.

ITV said it attracted nearly three-quarters of the UK TV audience last night, with a peak of 19.2 million viewers.