A TEACHER who was suspended after his bosses found out he was also working as a porn star and stripper has spoken of his sadness at leaving the profession.

Benedict Garrett, 30, worked at Beal High School in Woodford Bridge Road for nearly three years until he was suspended by department chiefs last week, although he had already stepped down from his post when his bosses discovered his other career.

According to reports, Mr Garrett, who goes by the pseudonym Johnny Anglais, was rumbled by pupils after their discovered his website, which he uses to advertise his services as a stripper.

Mr Garrett was head of citizenship and personal, social and health education (PSHE) – which included lessons on safe sex and morals – and also taught French and German at GCSE level.

Mr Garrett, from Hackney, said: “I'm very sad to leave the school. I had a fantastic time but I think that that's it for teaching for me, I certainly don't think I'll be allowed back.

“I've been very touched by the messages of support I've read on Facebook and things from students.

“Sometimes staff at the school said they were a bit concerned that I was 'over-familiar' with the students at the school, but the only way I could have been seen to be 'over-familiar' was because I always tried to be there for them.

“I always felt I had a good relationship and always tried to be there for them. I always tried to sympathise with them and listen to and be interested in what they had to say.

“You only have to ask the pupils and staff at the school and they will tell you that what I did outside of work never impacted on my teaching.

“I know many teachers up and down the country who do all sorts of things that they keep to themselves, teachers at that school even.

“And I'm sure many parents do things that they wouldn't want their children knowing about. We're all humans and we all have pleasures and desires and things that we like to do.”

He also said he had been referred to counsellors by the school to help him deal with emotional problems he was experiencing.

Mr Garrett added: “I was going home at night and becoming quite emotional because I wasn't able to separate in my head the different parts of my life.

“I loved teaching and had a great time there but I've come to realise that it's just not for me.”

Since Mr Garrett left the school, past pupils have shown their support for their former teacher.

Karina Kaur, 20, said: "I was taught by Mr Garrett nearly 3 years ago when he did five or six lessons at AS-level on politics.

"He was really good and made it really exciting by preparing scripts and making us do role-plays in terms of debating certain issues.

"He was a good teacher, I've left the school now but I am sure the kids will be missing him."

Were you taught by Mr Garrett at Beal High School? Are you a parent of a pupil at the school?

Contact Guardian reporter James Ranger on 07795 316 211 or email jranger@london.newsquest.co.uk.