A FORMER television reporter remembered for being wounded in a notorious shooting incident has begun a new career – as a crooner.

Tony Belmont, who won accolades for his coverage of the Butsfield shooting in which Albert Dryden murdered planning officer Harry Collinson and shot him, has always nurtured a dream to sing.

Now his talent has been recognised by restaurant owner Massimo Perrulli after the former newsman sang during a birthday celebration for two of his sons. Mr Perrulli invited him back for an audition and hired him on the spot.

Last night, Mr Belmont, 57, played his first gig at the Cosa Nostra restaurant, in Borough Road, in Sunderland.

He said last night: “I am over the moon that someone of my age can leave a career like journalism and be able go in a completely different direction. I am hoping this will open new doors.”

Mr Belmont, who took early retirement after being made redundant from the BBC in 2004, is from a musical family.

His great-grandparents were a musical act called The Belmonts, who performed in the UK and US, his daughter, Sarah 23, sings in her spare time and son, Matthew, 21, is studying at Leeds College of Music.

Mr Belmont, of Cleadon Village, near Sunderland, said: “My father was a big swing fan. I grew up with Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.”

Mr Perrulli said: “We are very happy and fortunate to employ Tony.

I am really impressed with his talent.”

As for the shooting, Mr Belmont still has the bullet that hit him, and keeps it in a glass case on the mantelpiece as a constant reminder of his brush with death.

Mr Belmont appears in the piano bar at Cosa Nostra from 8pm to 11pm on Thursdays.