Sign language pop videos for deaf making waves on YouTube

London, Nov 19 : An unusual music lover has found an innovative way to make pop videos for the deaf - by using sign language.

Tyrone Whittle's unique interpretations of the songs through sign language became a big hit on the Internet where hundreds of thousands of people have watched them.

As the 43-year-old performs some unusual dance routines to the tunes of classic tracks by The Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, and The Smiths, in public places, he can be heard singing along to them.

He can be seen performing his routine at train stations, shopping centres and other public places, and he has also built up a massive range of other hits on YouTube by bands such as The Verve, The Cure and Coldplay.

Whittle, who came up with the idea after a life-long interest in using movement to communicate, and also in a bid to impress his former partner, learnt sign language through a book, and did not allow anything to hold him back.

"My ex-wife complained that I never did anything romantic for her," the Sun quoted him as saying.

"I know it sounds strange but I decided I would impress her by learning sign language and performing a dance for her using signing," he added.

More than 40,000 web users have viewed his performance filmed on a train platform of I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor by The Arctic Monkeys.

And Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis has attracted 20,000 hits, while I Know It's Over by The Smiths has gone 5,000 better.

ANI