AFTER achieving the title of world Irish dancing champion four times, most 16-year-olds would be taking a break.

But Connor Walsh has continued to work hard and has managed to achieve his next dream, dancing alongside his hero.

From next month Connor will join the cast of Lord of the Dance as they tour the country.

And this year's tour is extra special for both Riverdance fans and Connor himself as the original Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatley, will return to the stage.

"It's amazing, this has always been an ambition of mine to achieve to dance with Michael Flatley himself," said Connor, of Highcliffe Road, Sneinton.

"He is such a good dancer and probably the most famous dancer in the world."

Connor started Irish dancing when he was four and said his dream has always been to dance with the star.

He auditioned to be in one of two shows of Lord of the Dance about four weeks ago and later got a phone call to tell him he had been picked to star in the shows with Flatley himself.

He will have a week of rehearsals with the stage legend before the shows start on October 28. Lord of the Dance will tour England, Ireland, Austria, Switzerland and Germany – with a show in Nottingham in November.

Connor said: "It's going to be intense training with Michael Flatley, at the moment that's one of the things I'm most nervous about.

"It was a relief when I was told I would be performing with him. That's the only reason why I wanted to go into Lord of the Dance.

"It's going to feel so good on the stage with thousands of people watching, especially when I'm in Nottingham and my family and friends can come.

"If I wasn't dancing I don't know what else I would be doing."

Connor has just completed his GCSEs and is about the start studying A-levels – though he will have to fit his dancing around his drama, business studies and graphic design courses at Trinity School.

He goes to Glendarragh Dance Academy at Greyfriars Social Club in Gordon Road, St Ann's.

Last year he won the under 16s category and also scooped the title in the World Irish Dancing competition in 2004, 2005 and 2007 – coming second in 2006 and 2008.

He intends to concentrate on being in Lord of the Dance this year but would like to compete again next year.

He said: "I like Irish dancing because it's a completely different form of dance, it's very complex. I would advise people who want to get into Irish dancing to start when you are young. It's hard to get into at an early age and it's a lifetime career."

Lord of the Dance will be in Nottingham on November 6.