Drew Lovejoy is an unlikely heir to Michael Flatley - as an American Jewish boy, with a black Baptist father.

The bi-racial Jewish Irish dance champion of the world has admitted he sometimes keeps part of his biography out of conversation - otherwise people become too confused.

The 17-year-old from Greenville, Ohio, has won the Dublin world dancing championships for a third year running.

Mother Andee Goldberg, who lives with Mr Lovejoy, told the New York Times how green ribbons and trophies adorn her son's bedroom, dating back to when he started competitive dancing at the age of six.

She told the NYT her first impression was: "You're biracial and you're a Jew. We thought you had to be Irish and Catholic.' He said: 'I want a medal.' "

"If I could, I would dance every day for the rest of my life," Mr Lovejoy said.

Mr Lovejoy now spends two hours a day dancing, another hour practising, and two hours driving to his dance school, the McGing Irish Dancers.