The new Billy Elliots!

George, Liam and James are jumping for joy!

More than 3,000 young hopefuls attended nationwide auditions, desperate to bag the West End role of Billy Elliot.

Now, after months of deliberation and training, we can reveal the three boys who won over director Stephen Daldry and are destined to step into Jamie Bell's pumps for the first big musical of 2005.

George Maguire, Liam Mower and James Lomas will take on the role of Billy Elliot - based on Daldry's Oscar-nominated film - when the show opens at the Victoria Palace next May.

The rest of the cast has yet to be decided, but the three young performers, who will rotate the role over different nights, have already been rehearsing together for eight weeks.

The boys seem immune to luvvie-style backstabbing. "We are all very close," said 14-year-old James. "We've been getting used to working with each other and so far things have gone brilliantly." George, 13, admitted: "There have been some ups and downs though, a few little arguments, but that is natural."

Liam, 12, from Hull, added: "There is no point in trying to out-do each other. We're all Billy together." Like Billy, he has won a place at the Royal Ballet's dance school, White Lodge.

All the children who came through the first stage of the auditions were offered classes to help improve their skills in tap, ballet, street, acrobatics and singing, in addition to training at The Billy Elliot School in Leeds.

The musical's score has been composed by Sir Elton John. George said: "The music is really good - Elton John has got a brilliant mind.

"And there are some really funky songs." For more details on the West End show go to www.billyelliotthemusical.com or telephone the box office on 0870 895 5577.

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