David McMillan ran away with the circus in 1961, aged just 15. He had no money and no possessions, but he was about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

David, 68, formerly of Pearl Road, Salterbeck, is now a multi-millionaire after making it to the top as a showman and animal trainer.

He recalls how he left home and went with Bertram Mills Circus to Larne, Scotland, where they sailed by ferry to Belfast.

He worked as a labourer for the circus and travelled the world.

David says: “One of the circus guys said they needed someone with a strong back and strong legs and asked me if I wanted to go along with them.

“It was so exciting being around people who spoke foreign languages and all of the glamorous showgirls.

“I left with nothing and didn’t have time to tell anyone where I was going.

“The first time I was able to contact my parents was in 1971 when I got to America.”

Born to David McMillan and Elsie Parrish, he spent most of his early life at the home of his grandparents Annie and James Parrish, at Northcote Street, Moss Bay.

His father David Snr had been involved in a dreadful accident at the Moss Bay Steelworks. He was dragged into a conveyor belt and had more than 100 breaks to his legs and arms.

He spent two years in Workington Infirmary and lost a leg.

After the accident the family was left broken, which prompted David to leave the area, although he has kept strong links with the town.

In 2004 he spoke to Westfield Junior School, where he had been a pupil, via a video link as part of its 50 years celebration, and he visited Westfield Primary School last year.

David, who now lives in Orlando, Florida, says: “I have fond memories of playing soccer at junior school. I always wanted to be a soccer player but God had different plans for me.”

After four years on the road a chance meeting with German lion and tiger trainer Gunther Gebel-Williams in 1965 landed him the role of his assistant.

From Gunther he learned the art of being a showman as they performed at world-renowned casinos and theme parks.

David, who also attended Workington Grammar School, adds: “Gunther was very charismatic and a workaholic, but he recognised the talent that I had.

“After 10 years of working with him I knew it was time to move on. His wife had a son and I knew that one day Gunther would want to take him on as his assistant.

“I went back to Los Angeles, slept rough in a bus station for a few weeks and then got back on my feet.”

David joined the Japanese Village where he showed audiences how he trained tigers.

From there he went to Marine World/Africa USA and then landed a $1million contract with Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey in the mid-70s.

In 1985 he bought 11 acres of land in Orlando where he trained large cats and started up his own business Tiger Eye Productions.

His lion Pancho was used as a model for characters in the 90s animated Disney movie The Lion King.

David went on to put on a successful one-man show around resorts such as Disney World in Florida, before retiring in 2006 after the death of his eldest son Brian.

David adds: “People ask me all the time, are you glad that you went?

“I always say it’s a question that can never be answered.”