A prison teacher from South Staffordshire went a “step too far” by performing on TV talent show X Factor wearing a skimpy outfit, her former boss told an employment tribunal.

The hearing was told that Faye Bray – who has said she aspires to be like Barbie and Jordan – was not acting as a positive role model by dressing in a basque and suspenders on the programme in 2009.

Mother-of-three Mrs Bray is claiming that she was unfairly dismissed by The Manchester College, which provided services to Brinsford Young Offenders Institution in Featherstone.

Giving evidence on the fourth day of the tribunal, former Brinsford governor Pete Knapton, who retired shortly after Mrs Bray’s X Factor audition, said her appearance on the show was “clearly inappropriate”.

During the fourth day of an employment tribunal in Birmingham yesterday he said: “It was just a step too far considering what she did in her work and particularly with the age range that she taught.

“It’s really hard to work with young people and to be a positive role model in my opinion and dress like that.

“It’s not about Faye dressing how she wants, that’s fine. It’s the impact of that on her employment.

“I thought at the time it was going to create a series of risks not only for Faye but also the people that she works for.”

Mr Knapton added that Mrs Bray had acted in an “incredibly naive” way.

Mrs Bray, of Cannock, taught life skills, politics and literacy to inmates. She was dismissed in January.

The tribunal has heard claims of how she wore see-through trousers to work and signed emails “Barbie Shagwell”. It also heard how she recorded a Christmas single while suspended for making public appearances as a singer despite not clearing them with her bosses

The hearing continues.