A disciplinary hearing into whether a teacher who led a double life as a stripper should be struck off the teaching register has opened in Birmingham

Benedict Garrett, 30, lost his job as a sex education teacher at Beal High School in Ilford, Essex after pupils found out online about his alter-ego Johnny Anglais, whose work included regular appearances as a naked butler at hen parties and roles in a porn film.

When his double-life first came to light, it also emerged that the Christian teacher had a passion for "Hebrew, Israel and all things Jewish", a dog named Simcha and two menorahs on top of his television.

He had visited Israel, listened to klezmer music and was also taking Hebrew lessons.

At a hearing of the General Teaching Council in Birmingham the committee heard allegations about Mr Garrett's work in adult entertainment as well as the fact that he had earlier been investigated by the school for contacting students via text message and Facebook.

The presenting officer, Christopher Whalley, said the GTC felt that by "undertaking work of a pornographic nature", Mr Garrett undermined public trust and confidence and called into question the reputation of both the school and the profession.

The 31-year-old did not deny the allegations. But he denied his conduct was unprofessional and mounted a 30 - minute defence, telling the tribunal teachers should be able to have private lives.

He said: "They may go out and get drunk off their faces. If they are doing it and it is legal, that is their choice."

"If the GTC was to agree that what I did undermines public trust and confidence in the teaching profession, I believe that this is a symptom of what I call an immature national attitude to sex."

The case continues.