ABBEY Meads youngster Tomi Fry has tapped and twirled his way from the West End boards to the silver screen after appearing as a guest on a prime-time chat show.

The 12-year-old, from Gaynor Close, appeared on daytime ITV chat show Mel and Sue - hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins - talking about his performance in Billy Elliot the Musical.

The student with Stagecoach Theatre Arts Swindon, who attends the Farmor's School in Fairford, has been playing the role of Michael since last June and took the opportunity to teach the presenters a tap dance routine with his co-star Elliott Hanna.

"It was brilliant," said Tomi. "I was really excited and I thought it would be great experience to go on a TV show.

"It was really good and it was very exciting. I was a bit nervous before as well but they were really really ice and funny so I soon got over that."

Tomi and Elliott spent some time speaking with the hosts about the show before performing a routine, Express Yourself.

Tomi first became involved in Billy Elliott after auditioning for the production last year.

He said: "I was put forward for the role through The Stagecoach Agency and has been a part of the cast since the beginning of June last year.

"I had been on TV and in shows before but this was definitely a dream come true.

"When I saw the show and the film I realised just how amazing Billy Elliott was and how much I wanted to be in it, I just wanted it more and more.

"I was over the moon when they gave me the role. I was just so happy, I just ran around the house with excitement."

But while realising his dreams at such a young age is a lot of fun for Tomi, it has it's own share of responsibilities.

"It's obviously a lot of fun but its a lot of hard work too. It can be very tiring

"But it's all I ever wanted to do."

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Swindon principal, Sheryll Fox, was delighted to see one of her students grace the silver screen with Mel and Sue during the filming, which took place in February.

She said: "It was fantastic seeing Tomi on TV and it just goes to show how much he’s progressed in his West End role. We are thrilled he’s had an opportunity to experience the West End stage and live television."

Billy Elliott is currently being performed at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

This year the show celebrates its 10th birthday.

Swindon Stagecoach School is part of a network of more than 600 part-time Theatre Arts Schools Worldwide. Early Stages classes are available for children aged 4 to 6 and Main Stages classes take place for 6 to 18 year olds.

For more information about Stagecoach Swindon, please visit the website www.stagecoach.co.uk/swindon or call 01932 254 333.