George Sampson, 14, who got through the first round of ITV's Britain's Got Talent show, has been performing in Manchester centre for two years to pay for dance lessons. But his mum Lesley claims council workers often move him on because the crowds he attracts cause an obstruction.
At weekends he is usually to be found in Market Street with dance pals while his mum Lesley watches the stereo equipment and tries to manage the crowds which gather to watch.
Lesley, who is from Manchester but now lives in Warrington, said: "He loves it here and because he is so popular quite a crowd builds up. But the council have been on our backs for obstructing the way.
"I try to control the crowds to make sure there is room, but a number of times the streets wardens have moved us on.
"It has been really hard for him during the past year. Last week they bullied us off the street. They had me in tears on one occasion."
Brought up
"George has been offered free dance lessons, but he comes out here because he wants to pay for them himself. You have to pay your way, that is the way he has been brought up."
She said people had also complained to the police that she was taking advantage of George by allowing him to work on the streets.
"He used to have a paper round but that didn't work out, so George dances instead. It's not fair that he is targeted in this way," she said.
George, who got to the semi final of last year's Britain's Got Talent contest, wants to a professional dancer. After his success on last week's show, judge Simon Cowell told him: "Last year I thought you were fantastic. This year I didn't... I thought you were phenomenal."
A spokesman for Manchester council said: "The council can and will respond to complaints about street entertainment by giving the buskers advice, asking them to take a break or move elsewhere.
"This approach balances encouraging high quality street entertainment with ensuring this does not cause undue obstruction to businesses or residents."
What do you think? Have your say.
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
ace, manchester (03/05/2008 at 11:19)
Pandora (03/05/2008 at 11:38)
betterthedeviluknow, Stockport (03/05/2008 at 11:47)
I saw George on Market Street when I worked in town and it was no more crowded that it normally is!!!
What if he went on a robbing spree, had 25 kids, and never got off his backside to earn himself a living??? I'm sure he'd receive all the help and respect then wouldnt he???!!!
George is a great role model, not like these idiot multi millionnaire fast car driving muppets!!! get off his case and leave him alone!!!
George, youre great!!! dont let em grind ya down.
betterthedeviluknow, Stockport (03/05/2008 at 11:49)
Are you perfect?????!!!!!!!!
This kids so talented. Bet youve never been able to do so much as a handstand!!!
betterthedeviluknow, Stockport (03/05/2008 at 11:51)
Peter M, Mcr (03/05/2008 at 12:23)
ace, manchester (03/05/2008 at 12:37)
What i should have said was he should do what other kids who want things do?and that is get a job after school and at weekends.not beg on the streets this gives a bad example to other children,to think if they beg on the streets of manchester that they dont need work.I think his mother should be ashamed of herself allowing her child to beg on the streets of manchester.Sorry if it upsets you but its the truth this is a form of begging.Hes been offered free dancing lessons but hes refused saying he wants to pay his way? well let him do more good for the world and get his free lessons but get a job and donate the money to a good cause that way his mother could be really proud of him .donating to charity..You are all gullable to beleive this over spun hype.....get a paperjob or work after school in a shop or clean cars....
vera angry (03/05/2008 at 15:54)
When I read your comment, it came through with a weak whimpering whine!??..
"I´m fed up of a lot of the contestants on Britain´s got talent going for the sympathy vote". odd that init?..mmmm?..
The inclusion of his Britain's got talent experience was to qualify his ability, which was good enough to impress Simon Cowell, who like him or loath him, does not suffer fools, which brings me back to you,.. could the imagined "whine" be because you typed your comment without actually thinking, cos you just wanted to say anything?, you know. like...you need attention...like..em.. some of the talentless who go on Britain's got talent..?.
vera angry (03/05/2008 at 16:21)
"betterthedeviluknow, Stockport What i should have said was he should do what other kids who want things do?"..
Right..that will be?,.. "take the old wedding ring as well as the pension?..or..shout, "maaaam I want...or give the list to their social worker/probation officer..or just take it??. "What i should have said was"..what you should have said was...nothing.
Steptoe Harold Albert kitchener, Germany (03/05/2008 at 17:27)
Marc, Duke of Leicester (03/05/2008 at 17:48)
ady34, manchester (03/05/2008 at 20:50)
Pandora (03/05/2008 at 21:16)
he´s got a pretty limited audience I wish him all the best, he´s got as much right to enter as anyone else. Personally, I find working for a living is a more guaranteed way to get by in life. He may find picking up a text book more advantageous. Simon Cowell chews ém up, then spits ém out. Simon Cowell is for Simon Cowell. He´s only interested in people who can pay for his next million pound motor. He doesn´t give a flying ****, he´s a business man.
betterthedeviluknow, Stockport (03/05/2008 at 22:43)
you wanna slag the parents off who allow their kids to run riot and disrespect other people and their property, not for someone dancing on the street trying to get by. busking has been on Englands streets for hundreds of years, whats the big deal??
and if you had enough information about this kid, you'd know that he has in the past raised money for charity with his dancing.
honestly, what harm is he causing??
DOOBYDO (04/05/2008 at 11:36)
Mike, Manchester (04/05/2008 at 17:31)
Steptoe Harold Albert kitchener, Germany (04/05/2008 at 18:53)
shillings & a tanner. a week.
Marc, Duke of Leicester (04/05/2008 at 20:46)
"Well Vera angry, I´m up to here with kids with bottom lips stuck out."
despite your spurious comment about pouting kids i'm curious as to how you think this boy is in any way similar to 'kids with bottom lips stuck out', unless you're accusing him of actually having two bottom lips. do you feel some twisted form of prejudice for people with two bottom lips, Pandora? well, do you?
this lad should be thanked for setting an example, instead he's being castigated by the armchair brigade.
David,North M/C (04/05/2008 at 23:36)
Laura Norder, Didsbury (05/05/2008 at 10:46)
alvinlwh (05/05/2008 at 10:57)
Cheshire_Blue (05/05/2008 at 11:25)
ace, manchester (05/05/2008 at 11:31)
Im sorry but i think this is the wrong way to go about getting extra money.its teaching kids to work out in the street to earn money?.When we should be promoting real work.Surely there must be a company or other business who would give him some work etc,and there are lots of paper delivery jobs around.but thats hard work.And you have to get out of bed early.
Pandora (05/05/2008 at 18:04)
Roger Jones's P45 (formerly MC Spanner) (06/05/2008 at 10:22)
"Real Work" "Paper Delivery Rounds"
There is more to work that just your narrow view. Here is someone with initiative - admittedly with all the hazards of Market Street & the noise he may not be everybody's cup of tea but work does not just mean "how it was done in you day".
Maybe we could send him up a chimney, use his small fingers to clear munitions or better still, make him hand around in nightclubs aged 12 like you did.
It's turned you into a tolerant and well rounded citizen