A SWINDON boy's lifelong love of dance has helped him share a powerful message on one of television's biggest stages.

Ollie Loveday, 11, wowed millions of Britain's Got Talent viewers when he and Fivestar Boys produced a stunning performance with an anti-bullying theme.

It was revealed that some of the group have battled against prejudice towards young male dancers, receiving verbal and physical abuse.

Because of this, Ollie - although not a victim of bullying himself - is keen to support his friends and share the message because he loves dancing.

Swindon Advertiser: The Fivestar Boys in rehearsalsThe Fivestar Boys in rehearsals

Mum Shona Loveday, from Shrivenham, has been a dance teacher at the Julie Scott Dance Academy in Swindon for 20 years and said she didn’t want him to get into dance because of her - but is happy he found it himself.

“His cousin was doing a dance competition and needed a partner, and he did it and has loved dancing from that point," she said. 

“It does make me happy though because all my best childhood memories were through dance and now he is experiencing these too.”

The talented young started dancing at the age of five and has excelled thanks to what Shona, 39, says is his laid-back nature, but also the support and encouragement of those around him, including his friends and school

“He’s had an amazing level of support and encouragement from those around him,” Shona said.

“He’s often teaching his friends in the playground how to dance. We’ve had parents of other children contacting us to say their kids have come home with a new dance move that Ollie taught them, which is lovely.

“Since he’s been on the show, I’ve been overwhelmed with the comments he’s had from the school, friends, parents and everyone everyone really. We’ve had so much positive reaction!”

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Fivestar Boys are now preparing in the hope of making it to the next round of Britain’s Got Talent after receiving unanimous praise from teary judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams.

Shona added: “He’s very dedicated, he had Covid eight weeks ago and the after-effects of that meant that he suffered massively in his legs, so he’s been dancing through pain in his rehearsals, but he doesn’t moan, he pushes through.

"He doesn’t complain, he likes everything he does, as long as he’s dancing, he’s happy."