A teenage boy has accused his school of not accepting him "for who he is" after he was banned from performing his drag act at an end of term talent show.

Lewis Bailey, 14, said he was left "heartbroken" by the decision not to allow him to show off his routine at the event, where students and staff at Castle High School in Dudley can celebrate the impending summer break.

He had spent weeks practising his dance moves in make-up, a dress and heels, having initially been given the all-clear after entering the contest three weeks ago.

But he was "pulled out of lessons" the day before the show and told he could not take part, with his mother claiming that the school said it was illegal for under-18s to take part in drag act competitions.

Lewis - who chose to turn up to a non-uniform day in drag after missing out on the show - told Dudley News: "They claim it's because it is illegal - but I think the real reason is they don't accept me for who I am.


"I'm heartbroken and confused. After all the effort I have put into it, it has knocked my confidence a lot.

"When I'm in drag I feel I'm truly being myself."

Lewis came out as gay last year and was inspired to try drag by US talent show RuPaul's Drag Race, which sees talented drag queens face off for a $100,000 (£76,260) prize.

Image: Drag queen RuPaul produces and hosts RuPaul's Drag Race, which inspired Lewis to try drag

Since coming out, the schoolboy has put on drag performances at home in front of his mother, Natalie, and stepdad.

For the talent show, his plan was to dance to a playlist featuring Little Mix and Ariana Grande, wearing a floral blazer and skirt, high heels, and a long silver wig.

His mother told the local newspaper that being banned from performing had "knocked his confidence down to zero", accusing the school of being "judgemental".

But the school has insisted the decision to ban the performance was "entirely made on the basis of age appropriateness, with sensitivity to both Lewis and to his fellow students".

The producers of Drag Race have since invited Lewis to perform alongside the stars of the latest season - which airs on Netflix in the UK - in Birmingham next month.

He has also been offered the opportunity to attend a West End show for free.

Marketplace site Vibe Tickets tweeted: "This is not right! Twitter please help us find this boy/ his family. We'd like to pay for him to go to a West End show so he can continue to be inspired and pursue his dream of performing.

"We'll pay for his tickets and cover his travel + accommodation."