SCHOOLBOY Tomi Fry is taking the West End by storm starring in Billy Elliot The Musical.

Tomi, 11, plays Michael, one of Billy’s friends in the production at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre.

He shares the role with two other child actors in the musical, based on the hit film, about a young boy from a northern mining town who wants to be a dancer.

Tomi, a member of Stagecoach Theatre Arts School, based in Ocotal Way, has previously starred with John Hannah and Rupert Everett in TV show The Other Wife.

He said: “I have been acting, singing and dancing since I was seven.

“My favourite discipline is acting, but I love singing and dancing too. I have done some film, TV and radio work, along with some stand-up comedy work for charity.

“I would like to thank all the fabulous teachers at Swindon Stagecoach, especially Matt and Tamsin, for their extra work in getting me to where I am now. “I want to thank my family for all their support. I would also like to thank the Billy Elliot team for taking a chance on me and giving me this amazing opportunity.”

The Abbey Meads Primary School pupil got the part in February and has been performing in the show for the past two weeks.

He splits his time living in London, with Billy Elliot’s other child stars, and in Swindon with his parents Bethan and Richard.

The couple have been to see their son perform several times and they were back in the crowd beaming with pride on Saturday.

Richard, 42, said: “He’s really loving it and he’s delighted to be on the stage now after the long training process.

“It is difficult with him being away but this is Tomi’s dream and it is wonderful seeing him perform.

“He’s keeping up with his school work while he’s away and making some new friends.

“I know people might have an impression of child performers but it is really refreshing to see the children together. They play like kids and are just completely normal.”

Tomi has a six-month contract to perform in the musical and hopes to have a long career performing on stage and screen.