Harborough's 13-year-old dance star is off to the Dance World Cup

Rudy Killworth has overcome incredibly fierce competition from the country’s best young talent to waltz his way into the finals in Rome.

His thrilled mum Helen Killworth, 50, said: “It’s so crazy that it’s hard for me to get my head round this!

“Rudy’s a fantastic dancer – but we never expected this.

“It’s such an awesome achievement and enormous honour.

“We are all so excited for him.”

The nursery teacher said Rudy, a huge fan of TV’s Strictly Come Dancing and The Greatest Dancer, had to pass tough auditions to be chosen by England.

“His dance teachers sent off videos of him taking part in competitions.

“And to our amazement the England judges put him straight through,” said Helen, who works at the Montessori Nursery in Coventry Road, Harborough.

“Rudy will be putting his best foot forward for England in a contemporary solo, a lyrical solo, a lyrical duet and a tap trio.

“So he’ll be out there dancing on his own as well as with his team-mates.

“My husband Adrian and I will be flying out to Rome with him at the end of June for the week and we can’t wait.

“It’s going to be so special and we are simply so proud of him for scaling such heights.”

Helen, who also has a son Louis, 21, and daughter Phoebe, 19, said Rudy attends highly-rated Dupont Dance Stage School in Memory Lane, Leicester.

“He’s been dancing since he was seven and loves it.

“Rudy was really into cycling, too, like his dad.

“But he’s given it up for his first big love,” said the mum-of-three.

“Our daughter Phoebe has danced she was 13 and she’s passed on her passionate love for it to Rudy – it’s been infectious.

“He goes to dance school four times a week and he works so hard.

“There are quite a few other boys there, there’s a mix of different ages and they all get along so well.

“It’s very physical and apart from being such a talented dancer Rudy’s got to be fit and strong.

“He’s dedicated, very focused and determined to reach the top but we’d also like to thank his wonderful teachers.”

Rudy, who goes to Harborough’s Robert Smyth School, will be backed up in Rome by about 37 other competitors from his dancing school.

“They’re all going to have such a great time and it’s amazing they’ll all be there to support each other.

“Rudy has set his heart on becoming a professional dancer,” said Helen, of Davies Close, Harborough.

“And if he continues to improve and progress then we’ve got a genuine star in the making.”

She said parents and staff at Dupont dance school have launched a big fundraising drive as the entire World Cup package will cost over £1000 per child.

So if any Harborough area businesses or individuals would like to support their effort please contact the dance school on 0116 262 9229 or at [email protected]