SMASH hit musical Billy Elliot will be dancing into Bradford, the Telegraph & Argus can exclusively reveal.

The show, about a boy from a northern mining community who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer, will make the only Yorkshire stop of its first ever UK tour at the Alhambra next year.

Set in a north east mining town, against the background of the 1984 miners’ strike, the show is about a troubled boy struggling to deal with the loss of his mother. Billy's father and brother are both miners, caught up in the bitter divide during the strike, and the youngster seeks solace in his secret world of dance.

The funny, moving and lively show Billy's journey out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, where he discovers a passion for dance that initially alienates his family but ends up inspiring them and changing his life forever.

Acclaimed by audiences and critics, Billy Elliot the Musical has been seen by more than 10 million people across the world and has been showered with more than 80 awards internationally, including ten Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards.

In 2006, Liam Mower, James Lomas and George Maguire, the first three boys to play the title role, became the youngest performers ever to have won the Olivier Award for Best Actor, with the show also picking up the Best Musical prize.

In total, worldwide, 87 boys have now played Billy on stage. Last September 25 former and current Billy Elliots come together in a specially

choreographed mash-up finale for Billy Elliot the Musical Live, broadcast around the world. The performance became the widest ever cinema release of a live event.

The show, which has a score by Sir Elton John, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre.

Based on the much-loved 2006 film, starring Jamie Bell and Julie Walters, the musical was brought to life by the same creative team - writer Lee Hall, director Stephen Daldry and choreographer Peter Darling.

The production is the latest in a series of major musicals at the Alhambra. Last year the theatre celebrated its centenary with Disney's The Lion King which roared in for a two-month run in its only Yorkshire venue. It was followed by the National Theatre's acclaimed drama War Horse.

Earlier this year The Bodyguard was at the Alhambra, starring Alexandra Burke, and Dirty Dancing is currently nearing the end of a three-week run. And this September Shrek the Musical rolls into the theatre for three weeks.

* Billy Elliot the Musical runs at the Alhambra from Tuesday, May 10 to Saturday, June 11, 2016. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, August 13 on (01274) 432000 or bradford-theatres.co.uk