A MUSIC teacher is giving up up his day job for a full-time role playing with one of the country’s hottest new artists.

Ben Thomas has spent the last three years combining teaching youngsters drums and percussion for East Sussex Music with his duties as a drummer with Rag ’n’ Bone Man.

But with the latter’s blues-inspired grooves propelling him to the upper reaches of the charts, Mr Thomas is throwing in his lot full time with his former Uckfield Community College schoolmate.

The 30-year-old, originally from Buxted but now living in Brighton, has come full circle, having received drumming lessons with East Sussex Music from the age of 11.

He said: “It is going to be difficult to leave it behind because I’ve been with some of the kids from primary school through to sixth form but you have to take these opportunities when they come along.

“I’ve been working with Rag ’n’ Bone Man since 2013 and we grew up in the same area when we were younger.

“We didn’t really know each other back then but out of the blue years later I got a phone call asking if I wanted to be his drummer

“As soon as I head his voice and the music he was making, I knew it was something special.

“I love playing it so I had a lot of faith something was going to happen.

“Everyone’s so passionate about the music and the project so it makes the experience a huge pleasure to be part of.”

Rag ’n’ Bone Man, from Uckfield, began his musical journey as a rapper before finding success with his unique blend of blues, electro-soul and hip-hop.

His first album Human is expected to hit number one in the charts this week.