Little more than a year ago, Gareth Lloyd would rebel against his family by sneaking out of the house at all hours and refusing to concentrate on his school work.

Now, the 17-year-old is an aspiring performer whose natural talent has been spotted by tutors at The Centre Performing Arts College, who offered him a place on a three-year dance course and a grant to pay his £30,000 tuition fees.

"When I was told I had got a place I was absolutely over the moon," said Gareth.

"Dancing has completely changed my life. I was a terror before – I was getting involved with the wrong crowd and didn't do as well at school as I should have done.

"I never thought this is what I would end up doing. I was thinking about going into the Army."

Gareth, of Clare Close, Mildenhall, first began his intrepid steps in to performing by joining amateur dramatics group The Bunbury Players, of which his grandfather was a member.

He was inspired by his grandfather's tap-dancing skills to try dancing out for himself and joined Mildenhall-based Kimberley Ann's Theatre School (Kats) in June last year.

Though shy to begin with – he made members of his class turn around while he practised his moves – within weeks Gareth realised this was the path for him.

Now, the friends he used to hang around with, who initially teased him about his new-found passion, have been silenced by his success.

His mother Lesley Cook said she was amazed by the transformation she had seen in her son.

"He used to be into heavy metal, had long hair and played the drums," she said. "He used to be so rebellious.

"I'm so very proud of him and I'm going to miss him when he goes."

For Kim Bullock, the principal of Kats, this is the first of her pupils to be selected for the college.

"He has definitely found his place in life," she said.

"I think he has inspired everyone and shown that you can go to a local school and do well."

Gareth still needs to find funding to help with his living expenses. Anyone who feels they can make a donation should email kimberley_ bullock@hotmail.com

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