A BELFAST teacher who guided Strictly Come Dancing finalist Louise Redknapp and comedian Russell Brand to success is in the running for a $1 million (£790,000) education prize.
Peter Ferris, a 49-year-old drama teacher from Mercy College, Belfast, has been included in the top 50 shortlist for next year's Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize.
Among the alumni he encouraged while teaching at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Performing Arts in London are singer Redknapp, who is currently flying high on the BBC One dance competition show, comedian Brand and actor Daniel Mays, star of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
The shortlist includes teachers from 37 countries.
The final 10 candidates will be announced in February next year.
The winner will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai on Sunday March 19.
