A FORMER Boltonian has gone from teaching Italians English to topping a European chart.

Peggy Johnson has spoken of her surprise after becoming an unintentional international pop sensation.

The50-year-old mum-of-one had been teaching English in Italy for 30 years when she was approached by an Italian composer to help translate song lyrics.

Before she knew it, Peggy has not only re-written the piece but was performing on it.

The track was picked up by the independent music Euro Indie Chart and spent nearly four weeks at number one and was awarded the top three song of 2016.

Peggy said: “The reaction it got in the charts has surprised me. It was written in a jokey way, the lyrics are quite racy but I believed in the song right from the beginning.

“The chart is heard all over the world, from the Americas to South Africa, it is really exciting and humbling at the same time.

“People just seem to like my voice!”

Peggy, a former Smithills Grammar School pupil, moved from Heaton to study at the University of Leeds before travelling to Italy.

She had been teaching English to adults when she was approached by composer Marco F Ferrari to work on his track Candy Rain.

When no appropriate singer could be found Peggy stepped in and provided vocals under pop pseudonym Lady Vevyla.

Since its success, Peggy has worked on 12 more song, collaborating with the likes of famous violinist Saule Kilaite, and is writing a one-man musical show.

She adds: “So there we are, in two years I’ve gone from overweight, over 50, overwhelmed to lyricist and pop star!

“It just goes to show, never give up on yourself.”