Bank clerk is ringing changes as wrestler

By day he is a mild-mannered bank clerk, but by night Great Barr financial analyst James Curtin is transformed into alter-ego, wrestler Rockstar Spud.

The 27-year-old has been wrestling for eight years as a result of a childhood fascination – and a 5ft 4in frame that stopped him getting into pubs.

His day job, as a financial crime and fraud analyst for Lloyds TSB in Great Barr, sees him in the suited and booted uniform of the young professional, but by night the shirt and tie are replaced by leopard-print jeans and vests as he takes to the ring.

A former Barr Beacon high pupil, James, of Tyndale Crescent has been wrestling for eight years after getting hooked as a child.

He now performs with the Frontier Wrestling Allience (FWA). And in keeping with his alter-ego name, before he takes to the ring he struts his stuff with a rock band.

James said: I would watch all these guys getting thrown around in all their superhero costumes and think – I could do that.

"In my teenage years all my mates were going out drinking, but I was so small I couldn't get into any bars.

"I thought I'd find something else to do and so I started looking for a wrestling club."

He soon found one, SAS wrestling in Birmingham, and has not looked back since.

He said: "I had to choose a name and develop a persona and was reliably informed by my friends that I am a bit of a party animal,and something of a prima donna.

"As a youngster I always said I would be a wrestler or rock star ­– so it was an easy decision.

"Buying clothes for his flamboyant alter-ego can sometimes raise eyebrows."A lot of it does involve wearing women's clothes," he admitted.

"I will pick something up in a shop, ask for it in a size 10 and they will presume it is for my girlfriend."

Workmates at Lloyds TSB rib James about his unusual hobby, but have been impressed after seeing the shows.

"They all take the mick, but when they have come to the show they have all enjoyed it," he said.