A Corringham schoolboy has landed the role of a lifetime as he prepares to play the lead character in Billy Elliot the musical.
In auditions reminiscent of the movie itself, Gable Hall student George Maguire, 13, from Stanford-le-Hope, was picked to share the role along with two other boys, beating away competition from more than 3,000 hopefuls.
He will take turns to play the lead role in the £5million production, which opens in London's Victoria Palace theatre next May.
The show is based on director Stephen Daldry's hit film about a boy from a North East mining village who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer.
George said: "It's just unreal because I didn't think I would get this far. When I saw the film I thought, 'I want to do that', but I never thought I would."
After six months in the show, George and his two co-stars will be replaced by three new boys.
More in today's Evening Echo
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article