A NORTH-EAST teacher will prove he can join the Fame Academy tonight when he performs the UK's number one single on primetime television.

Music teacher Simon Ferry will be part of the band backing greying crooner Tony Christie as he performs number one hit (Is This The Way To) Amarillo? on Top of the Pops.

Mr Ferry, who is head of music at Longfield Comprehensive School, in Darlington, first met Mr Christie last August and, ever since, has toured the country as part of his 12-piece backing band.

Although Mr Ferry is first and foremost a drummer, he will play percussion instruments, such as the tambourine and vibraphone, on tonight's show.

He said pupils at Longfield had been impressed: "My credibility with the kids has gone right up.

"They have given me about a dozen singles to get autographed. Some of them can't even get their hands on the CD, it has been so popular."

Amarillo was re-released for Comic Relief and features comedian and Phoenix Nights star Peter Kay. The track stormed to the tops of the charts, outselling the rest of the top 20 combined. This will be its sixth week at Number 1.

Mr Ferry, 37, has been a musician all his life, but four years ago decided to go into teaching. He said: "Making a living out of playing music in the North-East is tough, and I have done it since I was 18.

"Teaching is very different, but the great thing is I can pass on my knowledge and love of music."

He got permission from Longfield headteacher Keith Cotgrave to skip school and head down to London to record Top of the Pops. Mr Christie and the band will also perform tomorrow on children's pop show CD:UK.

Christie comes from South Yorkshire, and most of his 12-piece backing band have been performing with him through the decades. Four of the band are from Teesside, three from Newcastle, including Mr Ferry and his wife, Jo, and one is from Northumberland.

Top of the Pops is on BBC Two at 7.30pm.

Published: 22/04/2005