Royal Ballet School and Royal Opera House beckon for young dancer Hudson Miller from Barrow near Bury St Edmunds who watched Billy Elliot ahead of audition

A boy from Barrow, who says he feels ‘at home’ when he dances, has been accepted on to a prestigious training programme with the Royal Ballet School.

Today, Hudson Miller, 10, will begin classes with the Royal Ballet School as part of its Junior Associate scheme.

And he has also just found out he has been accepted for the new Crystal Pite show at the Royal Opera House, which will be his biggest stage by far.

As a boy breaking into the stereotypically-female arena of ballet, Hudson’s story may remind readers of the film Billy Elliot.

But when Hudson watched it for the first time he was ‘taken aback’ by the opposition Billy faced from his family, as it is in complete contrast to the support the Barrow Primary School pupil has had from his own parents.

The son of ex-professional footballer Ian Miller, Hudson has had classes since the age of four at the Barrow-based Ann Holland School of Theatre Dance, where his mum Vicki is a dance teacher.

Hudson said: “I’m really excited to start [with the Royal Ballet School] on the 10th. When I dance it just makes me feel at home. I just feel I’m supposed to belong there. When I’m dancing I’m just happy.”

Vicki, 37, said she introduced Hudson to the Billy Elliot film ahead of his audition for the Royal Ballet School programme.

“We wanted to show Hudson if that’s something he wanted to do or was interested in pursuing he can.

“We are fully behind him and support everything he wants to do. Likewise, if he decides ‘I just want to keep it as a hobby’ he can, it’s fine.”

Hudson has decided to give up playing football for Bury St Edmunds-based club Sporting 87 to be able to travel to London to follow his dancing dream, but will continue training with his dad’s 442 Football Academy.

Despite his footballer background, Ian, 38, said he would much rather Hudson was a West End stage performer than a footballer.

“I don’t want him to be a child that’s following in his dad’s footsteps – he’s paving his own path,” said Ian, a former Ipswich Town and Cambridge United player who currently plays for Walsham-le-Willows.

Hudson’s brothers Albie, eight, and Rafe, two, also have dance classes at the Ann Holland School, which is run by Ann Stoten.

“Every time I see my sons on stage I just sit there ready to burst because I’m so proud,” said Ian.

He said Hudson, who has previously performed Electricity from Billy Elliot, comes ‘alive on stage’.

Ann, principal and founder of the Ann Holland School of Theatre Dance (AHSTD), said it was an 'absolute pleasure' to teach Hudson classical ballet each week.

"As principal it is wonderful to see him achieve such amazing standards," she said. "Hudson has been rewarded for his hard work and dedication by being honoured with his place as a Junior Associate at the Royal Ballet School and now to be appearing at The Royal Opera is fantastic. All the teaching team at AHSTD are extremely proud."

She added: "This really is a huge achievement and in our profession it is fantastic to showcase the success of boys as well as girls."

AHSTD, which opened in 1990, has had many former students performing all over the world, as well as Kerry Ellis who trained with Ann and is now leading lady in Anything Goes at the Barbican, London.

Email annhollanddance@gmail.com for information on classes.