Real life Billy Elliot returns home

A County Durham performer has returned to the North East stage after building a national career inspired by a real-life Billy Elliot journey.

Jay Jobarteh, from Carville, is appearing in the touring production of Mamma Mia at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal, where he is part of the ensemble and covering the role of Eddie. 

Jay began dancing aged ten after accompanying his younger brother to classes, later becoming an under-12 world champion hip hop dancer. 

His path shifted towards ballet after reaching the final 32 of more than 10,000 boys auditioning for Billy Elliot in the West End.

He secured a place at The Hammond in Chester, supported by family fundraising, bursaries and annual grants from the Banks Family Fund, which helped fund his six years of training.

Since graduating, he has performed in the West End and on European tours, continuing with Mamma Mia throughout 2026.

Jay’s grandma Julie Sanyang said: “It’s such an emotional experience seeing him performing on stage and knowing just how hard he’s worked to get there, and we’re so very proud of both his achievements and the humble, dedicated young man that he’s become.

“As an ordinary working class family, we couldn’t have afforded the cost of sending him to The Hammond without the amazing support that we had from people and businesses across our community.

“We’ll be forever grateful to everyone who helped to give Jay the opportunity to follow his dream and to begin to build a career doing the thing he loves most.”

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