CHEEKY Monkeys star Charlie Dixon has been selected to train to be a West End star.

Charlie, from Nelson, wowed judges at auditions in Leeds and London to be selected to live in the Billy Elliot house where in the future he could be selected to play Billy in the smash hit musical.

The nine-year-old, who became famous on Britain’s Got Talent as part of the dance duo Cheeky Monkeys with Krista Hyatt, passed rigorous auditions to be selected.

During the time in the house he has to become an expert at singing, tap, ballet, jazz, gymnastics and street dance. He also has to be able to fly through the air, backflip and cartwheel one-handed off a piano as well as perfecting a flawless north-east accent.

The musical about a shy boy from a County Durham mining village who swaps his boxing gloves for ballet shoes is based on the movie starring Jamie Bell and Julie Walters.

It proved a huge hit when it was translated to the stage with a musical score by Elton John.

Charlie’s mum Carolyne said: “There were originally 3,000 boys auditioned nationwide to get the chance to be in the Billy Elliot house in London.

“Four boys were selected from the Leeds round and taken to London where they had to perform ballet, tap, free style routines as well as singing.

“He loves musical theatre and this is what he has always wanted to do, we are so pleased that he is getting the chance to do it.

“At the house the boys will have six to seven weeks of intense training to where they will have singing, dancing lessons as well as gymnastics.

“It is not guaranteed that once they are in the house they will get to perform in the show, but once they are likely to get the chance to become Billy or his friend Michael.

“Five will be selected to become Billy and four as Michael, so fingers crossed he will get one of the roles.

“If he gets through then we are not sure what will happen to the Cheeky Monkeys but they can’t carry on with that forever and Krista is very excited for him.”