AN actor and lecturer who taught two generations of Ant and Decs has joined Tyne Metropolitan College.

COLIN SHARP is the new lecturer in performing arts at the college, and has not only taught Geordie TV presenters and comedians Ant and Dec, but recently taught James Pallister and Dylan McKenna-Redshaw - better known as Little Ant and Dec - at the Tyne Theatre stage school on Saturdays.

The 52-year-old has lived in the region for 25 years and has also taught Michelle Heaton, of pop band Liberty X.

He said: "I find teaching extremely rewarding and have been very fortunate to come across some very talented people during my career.

"I have already seen some really talented students at TyneMet since I arrived and it has also been good to find some of my previous students now lecturing here.

"Students already work closely with drama and dance professionals such as the English National Ballet, but we have plans to extend that even further to include companies like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

"We are also hoping to extend the range of courses to include music theatre and other new areas."

Eileen Baldwin, assistant principal at Tyne Metropolitan College and head of the centre for creative and leisure studies, said: "We are delighted that Colin has joined us. He brings a wealth of talent and experience to the college at a very exciting time in our development and I know that the performing arts students here will benefit hugely from his appointment."