dance

15 year-old James Hobley, the autistic ballet dancer, finishes in hospital after assault

ByGramilano 30 April 20157 July 2024 Reading Time: 2 minutes

I wrote a post on 15 year-old James Hobley recently which has been one of the most read posts ever on this blog. His story is incredible, overcoming problems with autism and going on to study ballet and recently being awarded a place at the English National Ballet‘s School and he will transfer from the north to live in London to begin his studies at the School after the summer.

Now, unfortunately, I am writing an angry post as poor James has been assaulted and is in hospital awaiting surgery. With his character he will surely get over yet another hurdle and reach the finish line winningly, but it is difficult to fathom the mentality behind such cruel actions.

Get well soon James.

UPDATE: 1 May

James was beaten around the head by a school bully and has had 4 stitches in his nose. Tomorrow morning he will have surgery on his eyelids. Bullying was a reason for which he began home schooling with his mother when he was younger. Sad…

Bullying information and support at BullyingUK and the Anti-bullying Alliance

Gramilano

Graham Spicer, aka 'Gramilano', is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.

Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.

He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.