WHEN dancer Simon Harvey takes to the stage at the Royal Concert Hall in Flashdance on Monday, it will be an extra special home-coming.

The 25-year-old, who hid his love of dance from schoolmates as he grew up in Forest Fields, will be performing as a professional in his home city for the first time after appearing in London shows.

And a few years ago Post readers gave Simon, whose real surname is Green, a helping hand on his way to West End stardom.

Simon said: "When I was 13 I won a place at the National Youth Music Theatre but we were struggling to pay the fees."

Simon's mum Shirley Green, who now lives in Bulwell, contacted the Post to see if readers could help.

She said: "People sent money to help him – old ladies posting five pound notes and that sort of thing.

"I was a single mum so it was difficult to raise the money."

But eventually Simon raised the cash – and said his time at the NYMT had been invaluable.

"I learnt a hell of a lot there. They taught us new techniques. It was a whole different ball game."

The Trinity and Henry Mellish school pupil went on to train at Nottingham's Rollo Academy of Dancing and the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts.

Simon, who has appeared in the West End in shows such as Fame, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Chicago, said he was looking forward to performing in front of a home crowd.

"I've been looking forward to this. When I was at school what I did was a bit of a secret but now some of my friends will be coming along to see me. I'm playing Dr Kool in the show, who is a bad guy, so that's quite fun."

Simon, who began dancing when he was four, added: "It's amazing to think I'm on stage now alongside famous names. I didn't know if it could happen when I was growing up in Forest Fields but it's amazing."

Flashdance will be at the Royal Concert hall from Monday until January 24. For tickets contact 0115 989 5555.