A Towns' pupil is being seen on screens across the globe after featuring in Matilda the Musical.

Moses Owolabi stars as a dancer in the film alongside Emma Thompson.

The 11-year-old pupil from The Howard School in Rainham can be seen when children dance along a school hallway – a scene that has gone viral in social media such as TikTok, with users challenging themselves to dance to the song and copy the choreography.

Moses has been nurturing his passion for dancing since he was four.

He is a member of Islington-based dance troop Zoo Nation and practices his routines every Saturday for six hours – taking his school homework for break time.

The Gillingham resident, who is also an active member of Medway African and Caribbean Association’s (MACA) Young People United, caught the eyes of film recruiters three years ago through the dance academy's social media videos.

He said: "I love dancing, and acting, and really enjoyed taking part, I got to work with some great people and made lots of friends on the set.

"It was very exciting, but I was also very nervous at the same time because I had no experience in filming.

"Three of my dance mates were also selected, so it was good not to be alone during filming."

Moses recalls filming Matilda as a great experience which lasted a month from February 2020.

"It went pretty smoothly because we knew each other and we managed to learn the choreography quickly and well," he said.

"I think my biggest challenge was waking up early. I would get the bus around eight and I wouldn't come home until like eight in the evening."

Moses' favourite part of it all was meeting one of his childhood idols, Emma Thompson.

He recalled: "I was already a fan of hers because of Nanny McPhee.

"She was a very nice person and would be always joking around the set during filming."

He watched his debut with his family and friends at MACA on November 25, when Matilda the Musical premiered in cinemas across the UK.

It was released on Netflix internationally on Christmas Day, but it is yet to arrive in the UK and Ireland.

He was amazed by how special effects transformed his work, making it even more special and exciting to watch him dance in the film.

He added: "I knew where the camera and the green screen were, and it was amazing to see how they changed it into the actual movie."

Proud dad Ola explained how his role in Matilda helped him beyond dancing and acting.

He said: "I think one of the things that I have particularly noted is the improvements in his school work.

"I rarely have to chase him for homework as he's very disciplined when it comes to school.

"Right now he is at the top of his year with another group of boys.

"I started to notice from scheduled dances, really being able to get up at seven o'clock and go to the studio and shoot, and then finish that and come back and he's got to practice some more.

"So that level of discipline, I noticed has translated, or transferred into, the academics as well, which I'm happy."

MACA chairwoman Carol Stewart added: “We are extremely proud of Moses as this is an amazing opportunity for him.

"He comes from a very talented and close-knit family, who are very active in the life of MACA.

"We are always keen to support and nurture local talent, and it is so important for other young people to see just what can be achieved and opportunities that are within their reach."