BLACKBURN-born seamstress and star of BBC's 'Great British Sewing Bee' Deborah Simms danced her way out of the competition at the semi-final stage.

And the former St Bede's High School pupil said appearing on the show was 'one of the best experiences' of her life.

Throughout the show, Deborah thrived as she transformed a wetsuit into a dress, designed a child's fancy dress outfit and fitted a male model with a pair of trousers.

But it was a leather jacket that proved to be her undoing as, in her excitement at completing the garment - for which contestants had been given six hours - she pulled the zip clean off.

Deborah, 26, who has been forced to remain tight-lipped about her progress in the show, which was filmed last year, said: "My special moment would probably be the kilt as I really enjoyed making it and managed to finish it to a good standard, and of course sewing with like minded people was a complete revelation.

"The worst moment for me was definitely in my leaving episode where the zip just literally came off in my hands.

"I was stressed and made a mistake and then I just wanted to hide for the rest of the day."

Deborah made it to the final five in Thursday's semi-final but left the show with fellow contestant Paul Clarke, from Whitby, and together they Waltzed out of the doors of the competition room.

She said: "I was so excited and surprised to make it to the semi-final and leaving with Paul took the burden off a bit, as we danced out of the room together.

"I felt that it was time to go for me as my creativity was draining and I couldn’t think of new techniques and styles."

Deborah, 26, met her husband Terence while they studied together at Blackburn College a decade ago and last year made her own dress for the couple's wedding.

She said: "I got married just before I started the series and made my own wedding dress, which I have had great comments about and requests for pictures.

"I am glad that it has inspired people to make something unique and save yourself some money.

"I will be watching the final with my husband and friends. I can’t wait to see it.

"Being a Bee was one of the best experiences of my life so I would always recommend it to anyone. It was a great opportunity for me."