HE has sold 16 million records, performed sell-out concerts worldwide and counts P Diddy, Missy Elliott and Bono among his fans.

But just a decade ago Southampton singing sensation Craig David led a life overshadowed by school bullies who regularly tormented him.

It was during his time at the city's Bellemoor School that the 25-year-old, who grew up on the city's Holyrood estate, was subjected to cruel taunts about his weight.

He was also hounded for money from older pupils who had heard that the 14-year-old had started MC-ing at local clubs.

Today Craig is determined no other pupils should be made to suffer at the hands of bullies and has made a two-minute film to coincide with National Anti Bullying Week starting next Monday.

His film will be aired on the cable television network Nickelodeon on Friday at 6pm as part of its "See Something, Say Something" campaign.

During the film he talks about his experiences of being bullied at Bellemoor School by an older pupil, who pinned him up against a wall.

In the interview he says: "I had the experience of bullying at school.

"I must have been about 14 years old, a little bit overweight, and this guy, two years older than me, was picking on me and trying to take my money and trying to embarrass me in front of my friends. And I think trying to pretend to myself that it was all okay was the worst thing.

"Sometimes you feel it is quite difficult to talk to a friend, or tell your parents or tell your teacher.

"So I would definitely say, if you see something, say something."

The singer wrote a song about his ordeal - Johnny - on his third album, The Story Goes.

He is backing this year's anti-bullying week theme urging young people to stand up and be counted if they see any bullying.

"If you see something, say something. Tell your mum, dad, brother, sister, friends, neighbours or someone," he said.

Cassie Ellins, who took over as head teacher at Bellemoor School two years ago and brought it out of special measures, said school inspectors had found that now "children felt safe and happy".

She said: "We have done a lot of work on bullying and child safety. CCTV cameras have now been installed in the dark corridors where bullying used to take place.

"The school would be nave if we said that bullying did not exist - if it happens we have to pick it up and deal with it quickly."

Craig David's film can be seen on the Internet at www.nick.co.uk/saysomething.