Canvey's own Billy Elliot (From Echo)

Canvey's own Billy Elliot

6:00pm Thursday 19th July 2012 in Castle Point

JUST like his fictional hero Billy Elliot, Thomas Diss also “just wants to dance” .

Now Thomas, 12, is to get an introduction the world of professional ballet after winning a place at one of the UK’s top ballet conservatoires.

The Canvey lad, who has been dancing since he was four, hopes one day to follow in the steps of famous dancers such as Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Thomas, who has been studying at the Mala Dance Academy on the island, will begin training at the prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich, London in September.

Proud mum Jenny, 43, said: “He is brilliant. When he dances, he makes me cry. We are hoping once he leaves school he will train full-time.”

Just like the miner’s son in the smash-hit film and stage show, Billy Elliot, Thomas, is also from a working-class background.

The Castle View School pupil lives in Meadway, Canvey and has been bullied in the past because of his love of dance.

Also a keen footballer who plays for Canvey youth team, he said: “I wish the people who have called me names in the past realised male dancers are really strong. “You have to lift up ballerinas all the time and you must have endurance. It’s not easy.”

Tom’s dance teacher, Claire Beesley, said: “Tom has a natural flair and passion for dance. “He’s got what it takes to make it in classical ballet, which is very rare. You really could say he’s our own Billy Elliot.”

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