THE teacher behind a parody of Gangnam Style which has been viewed almost a quarter of a million times has reflected on its remarkable success.

“Tad Gram Style”, a parody of worldwide pop sensation Gangnam Style, by staff at Tadcaster Grammar School, started as a low key video intended for an X-Factor-style school competition.

It features staff and students singing a Yorkshire-themed version of the hit while doing the South Korean popstar Psy’s signature pony dancing in front of local sights.

Word quickly spread and the video became a local hit, with teachers invited be in the live broadcast of Children In Need, for which it has raised a considerable amount of money. It has now been viewed more than 220,000 times.

Its creator, English teacher Adam Dawson, said he was surprised to have been approached by people who recognised him from the video while out shopping, even asking him to have their picture taken with him.

He said: “It’s hard to even think of 220,000 people. To be going to the supermarket and being in the local shop and have people wanting to have their picture taken with me is surreal.

“It was amazing for the school and the charity to get that publicity. Before then I don’t think anyone had used YouTube in that way. It has changed the culture in a way, which is very exciting.

“It’s not done the school any harm whatsoever. At the time it was really exciting.”

Psy’s song Gangnam Style, which features a horseriding-style dance, went viral on YouTube and has been viewed more than 665 million times on YouTube since mid-July – inspiring tributes and parodies around the world.

There were fears that the video of Tad Gram Style would have to be removed from YouTube after Mr Dawson was contacted by Universal Music Publishing. However, YouTube has not taken it down.

He said work had already begun on a new project which is to remain a closely-guarded secret.