“It was such a lovely tribute”
Harry Styles’ primary school teacher Mrs Vernon has opened up about what the singer was like at school – and thanked him for his “lovely tribute” to her.
Harry halted a concert earlier this week to say thank you to a “very special person” – teacher Mrs Vernon and on this morning’s Lorraine, she spoke to host Lorraine Kelly about the moment he shared with thousands of fans.
“It was so sad you weren’t actually there but I know your phone went crazy as soon as it happened,” Lorraine said.
Mrs Vernon answered: “It did. I would have loved to have been there but Mrs Bailey, my colleague who was there, she phoned straightaway. I’ve watched the video and it was just such a lovely tribute and a really, really great thing for him to do.”
“Obviously you had a huge influence on him, he thanked you personally and dedicated a song to you. He’s basically just a wee angel. Was he always like that?” Lorraine asked.
Mrs Vernon said: “Some of the time. Some of the time he was an angel. Some of the time he could be, you know… he’s got a cheeky, lovely side to him. He was a great character. That smile was always so lovely. He loved music, he loved performing, right the way through our school and everybody, every teacher at Hermitage had a big impact on him.”
Of the very public thank you, Ms Vernon said: “It was a really kind thing for him to do. Teachers do a brilliant job, every single teacher worked so, so hard. And the reward we get is from the children in our class and the children that we’ve taught in every previous year. That’s what we get our reward from.”
Lorraine asked: “Did you always know that this wee boy was going to do something very special?”
Mrs Vernon said: “I think there was something special – a sparkle, a twinkle in his eye, his personality, character being so much there from when he was four or five. That showed us that he was going to go on to do something really special.
“But I don’t think anybody could foresee just how mega and crazy, so huge his career would become. It is just outstanding.”
Lorraine, weekdays on ITV from 9am
To watch the interview and show in full visit itv.com/hub
