JAMES Baker is hoping to show pupils at a Taunton school where he starts work this month that he's a class act in the wrestling ring.

James, 38, who is returning as an administrator to North Town Primary School, which he attended up to the early 1990s, will be performing at Wellsprings Leisure Centre next month.

He is on the bill at the Megaslam Live and Loaded Tour event on Sunday, February 2, at 2.30pm, taking on CJ Banks, who appeared on ITV's World of Sports Revival.

It represents a return to the ring for James, who lives in Staplegrove, since he was put out of action after suffering concussion when he was dropped on his head in his last match in November.

"Over the years, I've made a number of appearances at Wellsprings and The Brewhouse and I always look forward to performing in my home town," said James, who has been wrestling for 23 years.

"I still do a handful of shows each year, even though it's essentially a young man's game these days - when I started out there were a lot of middle-aged former TV guys.

"It'll be fun to work with CJ again. I worked with him before in Weston-super-Mare when he was up and coming.

"We'll arrive at the venue on the day, discuss the match beforehand and go out and perform whatever we agree.

"I'd like to say, 'We hate each other and it's going to be a bit of a scrap', but people know otherwise."

James, who recently returned to the area after living in Salisbury for a spell, keeps fit with cardio and weights workouts in his garage.

One of his better known opponents during his long wrestling career was Ricky Hype - better known as Ricky Martin, winner of BBC1's The Apprentice six years later in 2012.

"I've had some great time wrestling," added James.

"It'll be good to get back to it after my concussion. I was dropped right on my head during some traditional grappling was mistimed and I finished the match seeing stars."