Tributes paid to 'much loved' ballet star Jack Burns who has died aged 14

A promising young ballet star, once described as “the next Billy Elliot”, has died at home at the age of 14 with a friend who paid tribute to him saying “he did not deserve the stuff he went through”.

Jack Burns, who also appeared in the popular television series Outlander, was found dead at his home in Greenock, Inverclyde.

Police said they were not treating the death of the talented dancer, model and actor as suspicious.

News of his death was shared by the Elite Academy of Dance in Greenock, where he won a place at the age of nine. His funeral will be heard in the town on Thursday.

The academy described the teenager on Facebook as a much loved student and inspiring boy who had “touched the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of working and dancing with him since 2012”.

The statement added: ’We and all of Jack's family and friends are naturally completely devastated and at a loss for words and answers.

“Karen, Robert and Rory (his parents and younger brother) would love if those from his Elite Family that knew and loved Jack as much as they all do wanted to attend. “They would also take much comfort if students wish to attend in Alba or Elite Hoodies and sit together on Thursday.

“Our studio will be open at 9am on Thursday for those wishing to attend. All our thoughts and prayers at this time are with Jack's immediate family and friends but especially with his parents Karen, Robert and his brother Rory.”

As well as training at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow, he appeared in several BBC productions and the ITV thriller Plain Sight. He also had contracts through The Model Team in Glasgow and got through to the final 10 auditions for the musical Billy Elliot in Newcastle.

He went to St Columba's School, a private school in Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, and is survived by his mother Karen, 46, a nurse, his father Robert, 47, and his brother Rory.

Dozens of tributes were paid to hime online, with one friend writing: “RIP angel fly high my boy forever and always thinking of you. Jack was such an amazing boy and he did not deserve the stuff he went through. He never ever wanted to hurt anyone there was not a bad bone in his body. All he did was make everyone smile.”

Another said: “Your parents / family / friends must be so unbelievably proud of you and what you've achieved. What an amazing person and to do what makes you happy and be you, no matter what. Takes such rare courage that a lot of us don't have.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “At around 3.30pm on December 1, police were called following the death of a 14-year-old boy within a house in Greenock.”