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Sign language star makes pop videos for deaf people

Tyrone.jpg It's definitely a 'sign of the times'! A wacky music lover has become a huge hit on the internet after using sign language to make pop videos for the deaf.

Thousands of people have viewed Tyrone Whittle’s unique interpretations of classic tracks by The Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, and The Smiths, which he performs in public.

The 43-year-old performing artist can be seen signing the lyrics to the songs as he strikes some unusual dance moves in public places ranging from trains stations to shopping centres.

Salford-born Tyrone, who grew up in Warrington but now lives in Swindon, has built up a massive repertoire of other hits on YouTube by bands such as The Verve, The Cure, James and Coldplay.

The smooth mover started performing his routines after a life-long interest in using movement to communicate and in a bid to impress his former partner.

Tyrone said he learned British Sign Language from a book but later made friends with other sign-language users.

He said: “My ex-wife complained that I never did anything romantic for her.

“I know it sounds strange but I decided I would impress her by learning sign language and performing a dance for her using signing.”

More than 40,000 web users have viewed his performance filmed on a train platform of I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor by The Arctic Monkeys.

And Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis has attracted 20,000 hits, while I Know It’s Over by The Smiths has gone 5,000 better.

Although unemployed, the ex-roofer and dad-of four has performed his energetic routines at music festivals up and down the country over the last three years and has also worked on projects for deaf and disabled people.

He admits his performances get a mixed response from the deaf community because he uses a mixture of British Sign Language. He said: "It gets praise from people who have had hearing but have since gone deaf, but some people don't like it because I don't use a pure version of BSL."

See Tyrone 'looking good on the dancefloor' at the Sun and another Arctic Monkeys' tribute here

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This would make an excellent story to share with members of a website for caregivers and the disabled to share experiences. Please visit the visit and encourage your readers to do the same. We all need support from each other. Click on: www.care2tell.com

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