'I danced for regulars at a Moss Side pub - now I dance for Dua Lipa'

At age five, Lamaar Manning had every punter in the Beehive pub on their feet as he danced for them on the sticky tables.

The locals didn't know it at that time, but that tiny tot would go on to become a professional dancing star - travelling the world while supporting the likes of Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue and The Pussycat Dolls.

"My great nana worked in the pub," the now 26-year-old, who lives in Didsbury, told the Manchester Evening News. "We actually lived behind it at one point.

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"I was always dancing on the tables, performing. there were times I had the whole pub standing and cheering for me. I think that's when my family realised I had something special."

Growing up with his mum, siblings and grandma on a Moss Side council estate, Lamaar found joy in dancing from a very young age and used the hobby as an "escape".

When the family moved to Stretford, Lamaar joined a community dance centre where he began to take his skill more seriously. He formed a dance group and started entering competitions around the UK - even competing in an international championship in Las Vegas at the age of 14.

"At this point, I didn't even know I was going to make a career from it," Lamaar said. "I just knew this was making me happy and it was an escape from the real world."

At age 16, Lamaar knew he wanted to do dance as a full-time career. He was accepted for a scholarship at The Hammond performing arts school in Cheshire and graduated with the highest scores in his class.

Once he had finished school at 19, Lamaar was offered a contract on a cruise ship, traveling around Japan and China while performing shows for passengers.

On his