Waleed Aly in a tutu with Susan Carland at Billy Elliot The Musical

He’s a hard-hitting journalist on Channel Ten’s The Project.

But Waleed Aly showed his playful side while attending opening night of Billy Elliot The Musical in Melbourne on Saturday.

Joined by his wife Susan Carland on the red carpet, the 41-year-old donned a tutu and mimicked a ballerina.  

Waleed made a polished arrival to the event earlier on, sporting a crisp white shirt, black trousers, dress shoes, a pale blue suit jacket and a burnt orange tie.  

He embraced wife Susan on the red carpet, who also got into the spirit of the night by holding onto a boxing glove.

Susan, 40, wore a pale blue silk button-up shirt, teamed with black trousers, Mary Jane shoes, a silver sequinned cardigan and a mauve hijab.

The academic and feminist pared back her makeup, opting for just defined brows, lashings of mascara and a soft pink lip. 

Also in attendance was Neighbours star Ryan Moloney, 40, and his wife Alison.

Ryan cut a suave figure in a pale blue dress shirt, a black suit jacket, beige trousers and tan suede lace-up shoes, before donning the same pale pink tutu as Waleed.

Alison nestled in close to her soap star beau, and showed off her slim figure in a geometric form-fitting frock and black strappy heels.

Her glossy blonde locks were styled out and in soft waves, framing an elegant makeup palette.

Billy Elliot The Musical is based on the movie of the same name, and features the music of Sir Elton John.

The story is set in 1984 and follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to ballet class.

He discovers a love for the art form that at first challenges his family and then unites them.