Toploader drummer performs at Lewes Old Grammar School

Rob Green, the drummer in the band Toploader – famous its global hit Dancing In The Moonlight – took to the stage with teachers and pupils at Lewes Old Grammar School which was holding its annual Fishaid concert to raise money for the Anthony Pilcher Bone Cancer Trust.

Rob, who was at LOGS back in the 80s, joined geography teacher Will Ellis, who was a year below Rob at school, and Spanish teacher Susana Prada to play James classic Sit Down – to wild applause from pupils and parents.

The musician has played with an impressive array of singers and bands in the years since he left the school, including Oasis, Adele, Squeeze, Robbie Williams and Gary Moore.

He said afterwards: “It has been such an amazingly nostalgic feeling to come back to school after all this time. It was kind of a last minute thing – Will asked me if I would like to get up on stage at my old school and I thought why not. The children and teachers are all performing for a great cause and it’s lovely to me part of that.”

Every year pupils wow the audience with stunning performances of their musicianship at Fishaid, so named after former pupil Anthony Pilcher, known as Fish, who died aged 15 after receiving his diagnosis in 2001. LOGS musicians pay tribute annually by supporting the Trust he founded. More than £20,000 has been raised over the years.

From the school rock band delivering Motorhead numbers to keyboardists and guitarists performing pop favourites and songs they have penned themselves, the night has become a LOGS institution.

Head of music Megan Underhill said: “It’s always an amazing night, seeing the pupils and some teachers getting up there on stage and performing so beautifully. They work really hard to out on a brilliant show that always plays to a packed house. Rob’s appearance was the icing on the cake!”

Anthony’s mother Gill Johnston added: “Every penny that we raise goes towards research and I would like to thank the school.”