A REAL-life Billy Elliot is flying high after swapping his football boots for ballet shoes.

Newcastle United supporter Gary Walsh, nine, has given up soccer to become the only boy in a dance and stage school.

He ignores the sniggers of his former team mates to take his place alongside the eight girls at Tyne Theatre Stage School.

The youngster's friends at St James' Primary School, Hebburn, South Tyneside, cannot understand why he has decided to hang up his boots.

But, after winning little with the football team, Gary has proved his detractors wrong by landing a starring role in the Summer Gala show at the Newcastle Opera House.

Gary said: "I do not really like to talk about it at school very much.

"When I first told the lads in the football team that I had started going to ballet class, they fell about laughing.

"But I enjoy my dancing, and I will not let that sort of thing put me off doing it."

Dance school principal Barbara Biesterfield said yesterday: "He is very determined.

"He has got the right physique for ballet, he is very strong and he listens to everything that I say to him.

"I think the attitude that ballet is not for boys is still out there, but the door is opening more."

The youngster's mother, Carol, said: "He has three brothers who have never shown any interest in dance, but they are excellent with him.

"He has never seen the Billy Elliot film - but I will get it on video to inspire him."