JAMES Atkin isn’t just a music teacher: he’s also a chart-topping, award-winning, globe-trotting pop star.

James has worked at Holy Family School for five years teaching GCSE and A-level music to Keighley youngsters.

Before that he was a member of EMF, topping the charts on both sides of the Atlantic with single Unbelievable.

James enjoyed platinum-selling album successes, received an Ivor Novello nomination for his songwriting and toured the world many times over.

EMF is amongst only 20 international artists who have reached the number one spot in the US singles chart with their first ever release.

James has now announced his debut solo album A Country Mile in advance of a UK tour with a new band.

James said the impending release of A Country Mile was a “big thing” for him.

He said: “It’s taken me a fair while to get to this point and to feel confident that I can share this material that says a lot about the journey I've been on to reach this stage of my life.

"Anyone who has followed my progress over the years will know that I've been continuously releasing records over the decades under different guises.

"I'd like to think with this first solo album I'm rediscovering my roots and harking back to those days when it was all about the songwriting."

The release of A Country Mile marks the first time James has put his own name to a new collection of songs.

The album is said to be bursting bursting with great melodies, fantastic hooks and deeply personal lyrics.

A Country Mile is available on pre-order for shipping before Xmas, ahead of the worldwide general release in February 2015. Visit pledgemusic.com/projects/jamesatkin for details.

James will play selected live dates next year with a new hand-picked band.

Follow James by visiting facebook.com/jamesatkinemf.