Walking nervously into the dance studio, ten-year-old Liam Mower looked around at the gaggle of little girls in ballet tutus.

He had been persuaded to take up ballet by his dance teacher but, as the only boy in the class, he was starting to wonder whether it was such a good idea.

It went on to change his life. A couple of years later, Liam landed a place at the Royal Ballet School then came a lead role in one of the West End's biggest shows, followed by a video with Elton John, countless TV appearances and a coveted Olivier award. And Liam is still only 15!

Next week he'll be dancing on The Priestley stage, starring in a musical version of children's classic Pinocchio.

Liam's story mirrors that of Billy Elliot, the lad from a North East mining town who followed his dream to become a ballet dancer and ended up at the Royal Ballet.

So it's fitting that Liam starred in the stage version of Billy Elliot, which has become one of the West End's biggest hits.

Liam, from Hull, landed the role of Billy, sharing it with two other boys, at the age of 12. They auditioned for Stephen Daldry, who also directed the Oscar-nominated movie.

"It happened around the same time I got into the Royal Ballet School," says Liam. "I auditioned for the experience, I couldn't believe it when I got the part. It was amazing to be in the West End at that age, it was what I'd always dreamed of.

"It was the first time I'd done such a huge show but at the time I didn't realise how big it would be.

Although he enjoyed playing rugby with his brothers, Liam was a keen dancer and started doing freestyle disco and rock n' roll when he was eight.

"I enjoyed it, but I felt something was missing," he says. "I really wanted to try ballet, but I was put off because the class was full of girls."

Just as Billy Elliot's dance teacher - played by Julie Walters in the film - persuaded him to take up ballet and apply for the Royal Ballet School, Liam was encouraged by his dance teacher.

"She said it would make me a stronger dancer," says Liam. "I felt uncomfortable at first in a class full of girls, but it was what I really wanted to do. Ballet feels natural to me, I love the expression and emotion."

After landing a full scholarship for the Royal Ballet School, Liam went off to London, leaving his family in Hull.

In Billy Elliot, the boy's father, a no-nonsense miner from a family with a boxing tradition, is initially enraged by his son's passion for ballet. But when he realises what a talent Billy has he's determined he will succeed, putting the boy before his principles.

So how did Liam's rugby-loving father react to his son taking up ballet? "He was apprehensive at first, he wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing," says Liam. "But when he saw how much it meant to me he told me to do my best. Now he's really proud of me - all my family are. My mum and gran always encouraged me.

"My family are all coming to Bradford to watch Pinocchio."

For someone who has achieved so much so young, Liam seems remarkably grounded. He chats about working with Elton John - Liam appeared in his video Electricity and danced to a performance of it on the BBC's Children in Need show - as if he's an old friend.

"He's a lovely guy, very different from the diva press image. Making the video was amazing, it was my first experience of filming."

Next year Liam will be focusing on his GCSEs but has ambitions to be in the musicals Hairspray and Rent.

He is currently in Bradford rehearsing for the title role of Pinocchio. Like Billy Elliot, it's a moral tale about a boy who triumphs over adversity. "Pinocchio is great because he goes through so much," says Liam. "He's often silly and naughty, which is why children relate to him. The idea of his nose growing when he tells lies really appeals to them.

"He has a lot of personalities which is fun to play. The hardest thing is acting like a young child - I stamp my feet a lot! There are different dance styles in the show - ballet, tap and street dance - and it has a great fantasy feel. You leave the real world behind at the door."

The family show is produced by Emmderdale actor Daniel Coll, who played opposite Liam as his father in Billy Elliot. In Pinocchio, Daniel plays Geppetto, the toymaker who brings the wooden boy to life.

"We're delighted to be working together again, Liam is a fantastic talent and an inspiration to young people," says Daniel, who plays DS Frank Blackmore in Emmerdale, currently investigating Rosemary King's disappearance. "We stuck quite closely to the original Pinocchio story, giving it a modern feel."

The show, featuring magic tricks, puppetry, stilt-walking and song and dance numbers, is written by Daniel's wife Sinead Marie of singing group Celtic Sirens and the music is by local jazz singer Kate Peters.

"There's a place in Bradford for another Christmas show, as well as the panto," says Daniel, of Brighouse. "We've kept the tickets affordable."

  • Pinocchio runs at The Priestley, Little Germany, from December 17 to 30. For tickets ring 0870 0600100 or (01274) 820666 or visit www.ticketweb.co.uk