Family launch appeal to help Jarrow schoolboy follow Britain’s Got Talent dream

A Jarrow family has launched a pubic appeal to help their ballet starlet son follow his Britain's Got Talent dreams.

Joseph Chow, a Year 6 pupil at St Matthew's Catholic Primary School, brought the nation to tears with his emotive performance on the show.

The audition, which saw the 10-year-old dance with four other boys in group 5 Star Boys, aired earlier this year.

The boys, who said their mission was to fight bullying received by many male dancers, received four 'yeses' from the Britain's Got Talent judges.

After the moving audition, Amanda Holden said: "You've reduced me to tears.

"I thought it was an extraordinary piece and I think you should be enormously proud of yourselves.

"It was beautiful, it really was."

Joseph lives in Boldon with his parents Natasha, a customer services advisor and Phil, a financial advisor, as well as his two younger sisters.

The youngster's talent wasn't just spotted by Britain's Got Talent viewers either - he's been offered places to dance at the Royal Ballet School.

The prestigious institute is the goal for the country's very best dancers and Joseph's mother Natasha has labelled it a "dream" for her son.

Out of 1,200 dancers, only 12 were offered a place.

However, the school comes at a cost and there is a chance the dancer's parents might not be able to afford the opportunity.

Joseph said: “I am so happy that I’ve got a place at The Royal Ballet School of London.

"It’s my dream come true, and I can’t wait to join in September.

“I am just really hoping now that my parents can get the money they need to make sure I can go. Ballet is all I want to do, and this opportunity is too good to miss.”

To help make the dream come true, the family has launched a GoFundMe to help them financially.

Setting a goal of £10,000, a total of £860 had been raised in just two weeks.

Writing on the GoFundMe, Natasha said: "My son has successfully gained places at both Royal Ballet School and Elmhurst Ballet School in association with (Birmingham Royal Ballet) to start in September 2022.

"Whilst part of the tuition and boarding fees can be covered with a government grant we still need to raise money for the remainder of the fees, uniform and travel expenses to and from the school.

"Joseph is so lucky to have gained a place in both schools and would love to be able to attend one of them, he has worked so hard to get this far.

"Any help would be very much appreciated to help Joseph achieve his dream."

You can donate to the fundraiser here.