Young Lewis Fox has inherited his dad's nimble feet and quick steps.

But instead of following dad Deryck into the bruising world of rugby league, the teenager has a totally different career path planned out - as a ballet dancer.

Deryck became the world's costliest scrum half when he signed for Bradford Northern for £140,000 from Featherstone in 1992.

He went on to captain the side scoring hundreds of points along the way as well as playing for Great Britain.

But son Lewis has focused his energies on a gentler art form and is hoping to gain a scholarship at the Royal Ballet School, in London, at auditions next month.

After following his elder sister to dancing lessons just seven months ago, Lewis quickly picked up the graceful art, and has now set his sights on the capital's theatres.

But unlike the celebrated film character Billy Elliot, Lewis has the full support of his proud father.

Deryck, 38, said: "It's fantastic news, but it was never really a shock.

"He's always dancing around the house and there's music constantly playing, so it didn't surprise me."

Deryck, who played for Bradford from 1992 to 1995 and now lives in Dewsbury, said he never wanted his son to follow him into rugby anyway.

"When you've got kids running around after a ball in the freezing cold it's always off-putting to them - I don't blame them for not wanting to play," he said.

All three of Deryck's children have taken up ballet now, but it is not their dad who has influenced them.

"No, I think it's from the wife," said Deryck.

"I've seen them all dance, and I can you tell it looks harder than playing rugby!"

Meanwhile, Deryck was expecting his old team to prevail - just - when they took on Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup Final, at the Millennium Stadium, in Cardiff, this afternoon.

"The Bulls will probably start as underdogs as the form is with Leeds, but it could be good for them - it means there should be no complacency," he said.