A dancing dolphin who captured hearts when it joined swimmers for an early morning dip could become increasingly aggressive and go on the attack, experts warned.

The solitary bottlenose dolphin, believed to be a young male, went viral after video emerged of it excitedly playing with a family and asking for belly rubs in Lyme Bay, Dorset, earlier this month.

The Daily Mail understands that the mammal, whom we can reveal has officially been named Reggie, arrived on its own in Lyme Bay in February, sparking concern from marine experts as dolphins usually travel together in pods.

The dolphin has become a frequent sight in Lyme Bay, but in July it suffered a nasty gash which is believed to have been caused by a boat propellor.

Footage then emerged of the creature leaping vertically out of the water before swimming in and around Lynda MacDonald, 50, her partner, her son and his girlfriend on August 3.