A DANCER who overcame bullying to gain a place at a top London performing arts school is appealing for help to turn his West End dreams into reality.

Daniel Hatton, 19, from Ilkley, has been offered a place at the Urdang Academy – one of only 40 given out each year. But his passion has been put on hold because he cannot afford the cost of studying for the three-year degree in Professional Musical Theatre and Dance.

Now Daniel, who grew up in a deprived area of Bradford, is planning a number of fundraising events and is appealing to the generosity of people in his adopted town.

The determined teenager, who moved to Ilkley 18 months ago, is taking Dance teacher training at Joze School of Performing Arts as well as well as working full time at the Ilkley Moor Vaults.

Daniel fell in love with dancing at the age of seven, but his passion led to bullying.

“I was extensively bullied for dancing throughout my latter primary and entire secondary school life;I faced some quite severe bullying incidents but with solid support from my dad and stepmother I managed to turn the bullying into determination to keep going on with it,” he said.

His persistence has led to the offer of a place from the Urdang Academy, but a shortfall in funding means he cannot afford to pay the fees or living costs, and he is now aiming to raise between £20,000 and £30,000.

“Although student finance is available it only covers £9,000 of the tuition fees. The costs are actually just over £12,000 a year so £3,000 a year must be funded by myself as well as living costs,” he said.

“I have been a determined dancer since the age of seven and knew it was what I always wanted to do; it is my world and passion,” he added.

“I constantly train and practice as I am a bit of a perfectionist with it sometimes. I aid my old school as well as Ilkley amateur operatics society in dance captain and choreographer work so I experience a wide range of dance angles as well. Being at stage school is my dream and I am entirely committed to being successful afterwards. I couldn’t imagine life without dance; it is my base and I am so glad that I have my dance teachers, family and friends to help me through the ups and downs that dance entails. But I love it all the same.”

Daniel is planning a number of fundraisers between now and September, and details will be posted on his donation page indiegogo.com/projects/help-for-stage-school-dreams or he can be contacted at danielthomashatton@gmail.com He said: “I’m also performing in Joze School of Performing Arts 10th Anniversary Showcase at the Kings Hall on the April 25 if anyone would like to see me.”