Michael Flatley's long-time manager has initiated court proceedings against the multi-millionaire dancer following the termination of their business relationship. Arthur Beelsey, Senior Business Correspondent, reports.

Martin Flitton, who worked for several years with Mr Flatley and was a groomsman at his wedding last October to Niamh O'Brien, is understood to have begun an action against his former employer in the British courts earlier this month.

Legal sources in London said that Mr Flitton issued a statement of claim against Mr Flatley in the High Court in London. Mr Flatley has not yet made an acknowledgement of service to the court, the sources said.

This suggests that the case has yet to be heard before a judge.

The precise basis for Mr Flitton's claim is not yet publicly known, but it is believed to centre on a business dispute. In addition to his role as business manager, Mr Flitton has also acted as press spokesman for the dancer.

Seen by millions of spectators throughout the world, Mr Flatley's Lord of the Dance Irish-dancing production is one of the most successful live shows in entertainment history.

His website says that the show has taken in more than $500 million (€371.71 million) in ticket sales since its première in Dublin in 1996.

According to the website, Mr Flatley's legs are insured for $40 million.

He has described Mr Flitton in the past as a "good friend" and credited him with the idea of staging his Feet of Flames production at Hyde Park in London in 1998. A video of that landmark show sold more than one million copies.

The Irish Times was unable yesterday to contact Mr Flitton, who is based in Newbury and has other business interests aside from his involvement with Mr Flatley.

A spokeswoman in Dublin for Mr Flatley declined to comment last night when asked about the proceedings against him. However, he is believed to be making preparations to respond to Mr Flitton's statement of claim.

Born in Chicago in 1958, Mr Flatley worked in construction to support his interest in Irish dancing. It was not until 1994 that he shot to international fame when taking a prime role in the Riverdance interval performance at the Eurovision song contest in Dublin that year.

That seven-minute performance created two business empires: Mr Flatley's and that of Riverdance founders Moya Doherty and her husband, John McColgan.

Mr Flatley joined the original Riverdance touring troupe in 1995 but left some months later to start his own production.