Chris hits the right note for a career in law

Singer and student Chris Tame is exchanging the stage for the drama of the courtroom.

Chris, who is originally from Thirsk and now living in Thornaby, is in the final year of the LLB (Hons) Law at Teesside University.

He is currently combining study with his singing career, which has evolved from social club gigs as a teenager to corporate events and performing at overseas hotels during the holiday season.

Chris, 31, said: 'I was brought up in a musical household, with everything from pop, rock, country and folk played at home. I started singing when I was 10, initially at karaoke events, then a few years later in social clubs, with my parents ferrying me around.

'It was during a karaoke set that someone suggested I could get a paid gig at a local club and at that age, it was brilliant. I never looked back.'

Chris continued singing in clubs until he was around 18, when he auditioned for TV show Pop Idol, in the same year finalists Will Young and Gareth Gates battled it out for the top spot.

'It was one of the first reality shows and I was working with a record company at the time, trying to work it into a record deal, so I thought I'd give it a try,' he said.

Chris made it to through to the final 50, recording a 'live' audition which was televised during the show and giving him his first taste of television.

'It was very pressured. We were kept waiting for hours to perform, then given just minutes warning before having to sing. I tried again the following year and not getting anywhere was a confidence knock, but I continued playing the pubs and clubs.'

Undeterred, Chris went on to audition for The X Factor around three years ago, reaching the bootcamp stage. But although he loved performing, he was starting to think of branching out with a new career.

'I’d been self-employed and playing gigs from the age of 13 and being in that environment taught me how to deal with difficult situations and build a rapport with an array of people. In a way it was a great training ground for a career in law.'

Chris added: 'I left school at 16 with a few GCSEs, but was able to complete an access course at Middlesbrough College before starting the law degree.

'Law is about helping people and I'm happy to stand up and represent those who might be reluctant to do it for themselves and now I have the knowledge to be able to do that in a courtroom.'

He volunteers as an advisor with Middlesbrough Citizen Advice Bureau assisting with tribunal work, is training as a police station representative with Watson Woodhouse Solicitors and is involved in Teesside University Law Clinic, which offers legal advice and representation to the local community.

'The experience I'm gaining during the degree has been invaluable, especially being able to work on live cases and the support from academic staff has been brilliant.'

Chris continues to combine study with his singing career, which has developed into the corporate market events market and overseas hotels during holiday season.

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