A DANCER from Park North has landed the opportunity of a lifetime with a part in one of Las Vegas' most popular shows.

Darren Haddrell, 29, of Verwood Close, will be heading to Las Vegas for a new life as an acrobatic dancer in the Cirque Du Soleil's already sold-out Beatles Love show.

Darren trained at Swindon's Town Hall Studios, then spent years trying to get his big break in London.

He applied for several roles in the world-renowned billion pound circus but kept missing out on his dream job.

Just when he was about to give up hope of a successful career as a dancer, the circus asked him to come to Las Vegas for an audition.

Darren said: "I tried to get in for three years. Then they called me three weeks ago and asked me to fly out.

"I watched the show, which I thought was really good. Then I did all my stuff on the Mirage stage and got offered it right away.

"It is not just about the money, this has always been my dream.

"I'm still in shock and can't quite believe it."

Darren has put his parkours, break-dancing and gymnastics skills to the test in the past for adverts for the BBC. The companies include Adidas and Reebok and he was even in a Madonna video.

But he said that it was hard making ends meet without regular work.

"It has been a struggle for a long time. I would get a good job now and again, but I could work for just a couple of days and then have three months off.

"I was on the brink of quitting dance altogether. I couldn't just go out and do things with my girlfriend and it was hard.

"This really was my last chance. If I hadn't got this job with Cirque I would have given up."

Darren said that agencies were already calling him after hearing that Cirque du Soleil had hired him, and hopes that after his two-year stint in Las Vegas there will be plenty more opportunities open to him.

Darren's mum Glynnis Turner and step-dad Steve Turner, also from Park North, are already planning to make the trip to America to see him in action.

"I'll miss all my friends and family, but they are already booking their flights to come and see me.

"My step-brother died in September so it has been a hard year for my family.

"They are all so proud of me, so it is something nice for them to look forward to," said Darren.

Michael Turner, 31, died in Swindon train station's toilets from a heroin overdose on September 3.

Darren will be flying out to the circus' base in Montreal on January 8 for costume fittings ready for his part in the acrobatic show, based on songs by the Beatles.

He will then head to Las Vegas and after just a couple of weeks of rehearsals will be performing live with the cast of more than 60 acrobats and clowns on the stage at the Mirage casino in February.

Darren said that he had to practise gymnastics daily to keep in shape for all his stunts, including hanging horizontally from lampposts, and added that he tried to use every possible opportunity to come up with new tricks.

"I'm always pushing myself to the limit, training and coming up with new crazy movements. I'm just trying to be different from everyone else out there."