WHEN Craig Halliday took up the violin, aged 10, he was teased by classmates. “They used to take my violin and put it on a milk float, I had to run after it,” he said.

Now he’s an internationally acclaimed violinist, playing on luxury cruise liners around the world, and has performed with hit show Lord of the Dance, at the London Palladium, on Coronation Street, and with stars such as Brian Conley, Sophie Ellis-Bexter and Kimberley Walsh. He’s recorded a new album and this spring he’s here with a diverse show, playing hits by the likes of Coldplay and Nirvana, music from Les Miserables and a trance re-mix.

Not bad for a boy from Idle who had to catch up with the milk float to play his violin. “I don’t know why I took it up, I’m not from a musical family,” said Craig. “I started the violin at Parkland school, the other kids dropped out so it was like having private lessons. I continued at Beckfoot and joined Bradford Youth Orchestra. I used it to my advantage - I used to tell the PE teacher I had a violin lesson so I could get out of games. They’d hear me practising and assume it was a lesson, even when the peripatetic teacher wasn’t in.”

He was taught by Dr Peter Mountain, former leader of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and BBC Symphony orchestras, who introduced him to the electric violin. Playing a lime green violin, Craig went down a storm at a St George’s Hall concert and went on to be solo electric violinist for hit show Lord of the Dance in America.

He has performed in unusual places, not least the highest peak of Blackpool rollercoaster the Big One and in the middle of a lake, wearing waders, with an opera-singing mermaid. He played with symphony orchestras, and for shows such as Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon, before going solo. “To me, it’s about the showmanship as much as the music. I’m on stage with a band and four dancers - it’s a spectacle,” said Craig, who mixes film scores, rock anthems and classical pieces.

On Saturday, April 13 he’s at King’s Hall, Ilkley, at 8pm with a rare UK gig, co-produced by local choreographer Deana Morgan. The cabaret-style show features a dazzling Swarovski Crystal electric violin given to Craig when he played at Blackpool’s Hot Ice Arena.

When he’s not working around the world, Craig is happy on the farm he shares with his partner, seven dogs, 15 horses, 10 chickens, a pig and a pea hen. “I’ve been pretty much everywhere but it’s always good to be home,” he smiled.

Tickets £18 to £16. Call (01274) 432000.