Dancer Michael Flatley yesterday took the witness stand in his London High Court battle with his former manager.
Mr Flatley (40) was cross-examined by Mr Robert Englehart QC, counsel for Mr John Reid, who is seeking around £10 million from the star for repudiation of a management agreement.
Mr Flatley alleges that the agreement was procured by undue influence and amounted to a restraint of trade and is countersuing his ex-manager, who he accuses of deceit.
The dancer, who is worth an estimated £60 million, says he was entitled to dismiss Mr Reid, which was done in a solicitor's letter in January 1997.
Asked about his career at the moment, the man who became a heart-throb during his Riverdance days and with his show Lord of the Dance said he was not dancing in a show. He said he had not "really decided" on continuing to dance. "I need a break from dancing right now, I have been dancing for some time."
Counsel asked if his age was an impediment, he replied: "Forty is kind of old as a dancer. If I continued to carry on as a dancer it would be difficult." He agreed that his dismissal from Riverdance in October 1995 came as a "great and unexpected shock".
Mr Flatley, born in America of Irish parents, said he had been "really, really excited" when he first met John Reid in St Tropez in 1995. "I was very keen on being managed by Mr Reid" and wanted him to end his "nightmare" after being sacked from Riverdance.
But the relationship soured when Mr Flatley became concerned that Mr Reid was not spending enough time on his affairs, the court heard.
Mr Flatley claimed Mr Reid only came to opening nights at the (London) Coliseum and in Sydney: "For the rest of the openings and at other times he was rarely to be found."
He was assured Mr Reid would pay more attention to his business: "However, Elton John then began working on the Aida production on Broadway so that John Reid was once again engaged full-time with Elton John."
Mr Flatley said at the opening of the Lord of the Dance at Wembley Arena in January 1997, Mr Reid barged into his dressing room "very agitated and angry" wanting a meeting with him.
He told him they would have to meet after the show, but Mr Reid would not accept this and "started throwing various faxes around the room, shouting and swearing at me and pointing his finger at me. He was very threatening and abusive and kicked over a wastepaper basket."
In a statement Mr Flatley said: "John Reid did not have the contacts he claimed and had no significant overseas presence or connections." He claimed Mr Reid put his and his company's own financial interests before his.
The hearing continues next Wednesday.