Boys win Billy Elliot dance award

The award recognises dancers' athleticism and hard work

Two 14-year-olds have won a national Billy Elliot award that aims to challenge modern-day stigmas attached to boys who go into dance.

Brad Corben, of Kingsteignton, Devon, and Joseph Poulton, of Leeds, won the Critics Circle National Dance Awards' 2006 Working Title Billy Elliot Award.

Brad trains as a dancer seven days a week.

His father Mark said it was an "absolutely fabulous achievement, beyond anybody's wildest dreams".

'Pure hard work'

He added it was a "massive prize for all the exceptional hard work" his son had put in.

The award is given in conjunction with Working Title and Billy Elliot The Musical and recognises the "athleticism and pure hard work that brings success in this field".

Real life Billy Elliot performer Colin Bates, who is currently appearing in the production, presented the boys with their awards at a ceremony at Sadler's Wells theatre in London.

They take home a package of goods from the late dance artist Robert Heindel and will have a day of tutorage at the London Studio Centre with dancer Nick Espinose.