Entertainment

Tributes paid to ‘next Billy Elliot’ child ballet star

Jack Burns died on Sunday at his home in Greenock.
Jack Burns died on Sunday at his home in Greenock. Jack Burns died on Sunday at his home in Greenock.

A child ballet star dubbed the next Billy Elliot has died.

Jack Burns, who appeared on several TV shows including Outlander, died on Sunday December 1 at his home in Greenock, Inverclyde.

Elite Academy of Dance, which he attended, paid tribute to the 14-year-old.

It is with a very heavy heart that we write this post. Tragically as you know we lost our much loved student Jack Burns…Posted by Elite Academy of Dance- Greenocks Royal Academy Classical Ballet School on Monday, December 9, 2019

A Facebook post said: “Jack was an inspiration to everyone at Elite and touched the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of working and dancing with him since 2012.”

His funeral service will be held at St Mary’s RC Church in Greenock at 10am on Thursday.

Jack’s death is not being treated as suspicious.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Around 3.30pm on Sunday, police were called following the death of a 14-year-old boy within a house on the Esplanade in Greenock.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact cause of his death which police are not treating as suspicious.

“A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.”