GREENOCK’S very own Billy Elliot is a step closer to realising his dance dream.
Gifted Jack Burns is delighted after he won a place at Scottish Ballet’s prestigious junior associates school in Glasgow.
The nine-year-old, who lives on the Esplanade with parents Karen and Robert and little brother Rory, only joined the Elite Academy of Dance in Greenock in August, but seems set for big things.
Jack said: “I’m excited but it’s a bit scary as well.
“I don’t really know why I like ballet — it just feels good when I’m doing it.” Jack also won through to the final 10 in auditions for the musical Billy Elliot in Newcastle and has been told to re-apply in February, once he honed his ballet skills.
The talented all-rounder juggles ballet classes with gymnastics, drama and football, as well as modelling.
Karen, 42, a bank nurse, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic and I’m over the moon for him.
“He’s been doing gymnastics for 18 months at the City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club at Bellahouston and did an audition for Billy Elliott and was told when he gets more ballet experience to go back next year.
“He’s really got into ballet — he’s loving it.” Jack’s ballet teacher, Julie Gunn, said: “Jack’s got a lot of potential — and his gymnastics helps the ballet.” The youngster and his wee brother Rory, who’s seven, both attend St Columba’s School in Kilmacolm.
Both of them study drama at UK Theatre School in Glasgow and are also on the books of a Glasgow model agency.
Rory is also no stranger to his own spot in the limelight too.
He landed a role in the hit time-travel series Outlander last year.
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