Is billy Elliot a true story?

The Billy Elliot movie is loosely based on stories of boy's all around England that have had a dream of becoming a Ballet dancer that come from working class families, such as coal miners, industrial workers, etc.

The movie was inspired by the story of a man called Sir Thomas Allen.

Sir Thomas Allen, now a famous British Opera star, told the story of how he rose up from being an ordinary boy in the mining town of Durham in England to become an international ballet star.

The writer of Billy Elliot, Lee Hall, visited Sir Thomas Allen for more information and, as a result of their meetings, wrote a story loosely based on Sir Thomas Allen's true story.

So, Billy Elliot is not a real person, but the story of Billy Elliot in the film is loosely based on the real-life events of Sir Thomas Allen.