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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Aaron Morris

Sam Fender's former school teacher wishes him good luck ahead of Brit Awards

Sam Fender's former head of sixth form has shared a kind message ahead of tonight's Brit Awards ceremony where the North Shields star is up for three awards.

The frontman will head to London to hopefully collect a handful of new accolades, while performing live at the O2 Arena on the same night alongside the likes of Liam Gallagher and Anne Marie.

Sam has been nominated for Artist of the Year -pitted against Adele, Dave, Ed Sheeran and Little Simz - and he will be hoping to take home the award for Best Alternative/Rock Act.

Go here for more what's on updates, news and reviews from around the North East

His second studio album 'Seventeen Going Under' is also up for Mastercard's Album of the Year.

And Sam's old head of sixth form turned headmaster of Whitley Bay High School has sent him a good luck message, as the 27-year-old aspires to bring the awards back to the North East.

Speaking to ChronicleLive, Steve Wilson, said: "Very good luck, and I hope you get one or two of the Brits that you hope for."

Sam headed to Whitley Bay High School's Sixth Form to study his A-Levels after completing secondary education at the John Spence Community School.

It may come as a surprise to many that he actually didn't study music at all academically while at the college.

Instead he vowed to educate himself on English language and literature combined with theatrical studies - due to his love of performing and drama.

And it was at Whitley Bay High School's Sixth Form that Sam would also meet his now band-mate, guitarist and keyboard player, Joe Atkinson.

Mr Wilson continued: "He met Joe Atkinson, his other band member, when he was at Whitley Bay Sixth Form. He was a great lad who got involved with loads of stuff with the school. He really did do well here.

Whitley Bay High School and Sixth Form (newcastle chronicle)

"He didn't do music at A-Level but he spent a lot of time in the music department, but who can blame him for that for what he's ended up doing?"

He added: "He was absolutely committed to his music and really put the hours in.

"[He was] sometimes in the music department when he shouldn't have been, but he was in the music department a lot.

"We certainly recognise him as a talent in music from his performances at rock night and the leavers assembly, and so on.

"The head of music also worked a lot with him and I think they keep in touch."

The Brit Awards will take place from 8pm tonight, and viewers can tune in directly via ITV or the ITV Hub.

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