Mark Grist

Millions watched an ex-English teacher defeat a teenage grime artist in a rap battle by 'Don't Flop'. But it's a lot more complicated than that. Mark Grist (Dead Poets) has been walking the fine line between stupidity and bravery. Mid-recession, he quit his teaching job to embark on a series of challenges, leading him to become 'an internet sensation' (Sun) and 'unlikely heart-throb' (Guardian). But when teachers expressed concern about having him in to meet the kids, Mark began to wonder if in all the excitement he'd left himself behind. Warning - contains poetry.