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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Essex presenters are warming up their vocal chords and practising their breathing exercises as they prepare to belt out some classic songs on Friday 20 November as part of the station's very own Shame Academy, all in aid of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children in Need.

Ray Clark, Dave Monk, Steve Scruton, Ken Crowther, Tim Gillett and Chris Penhall are leaving their studios behind and performing some classic hits for Pudsey, in front of hundreds of schoolchildren at Maldon Primary School.

The children will then choose their favourite acts.

Linda Good, Assistant Head Teacher, Maldon Primary School, says: "We're thrilled to be asked to host Shame Academy for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Essex and we hope the event ends on a high note."

The top three acts, as chosen by the schoolchildren, will then battle it out on stage at the Chelmsford Christmas lights switch-on by Lee Mead (³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One's Any Dream Will Do) on Sunday 22 November from 3.00pm.

The big finale is being compered by ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Essex presenter Sadie Nine and the panel of judges will include Steve Cherelle, Eric Hall and John Hayes.

All the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Essex acts have been practising extensively and perfecting their on-stage personae with the help of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Essex Country presenter Steve Cherelle, who has been giving them some much-needed singing lessons and tips ahead of their big stage debut.

This is not the first time the station's presenters have done something different for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children in Need.

Last year they put on their glad-rags and dancing shoes and raised hundreds of pounds with their version of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One's Strictly Come Dancing.

Ray Clark, breakfast presenter, says: "Last year I pulled on my dancing shoes for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children In Need and this year I'll be pulling on my Elvis suit alongside the rest of the members of our group.

"We're calling it Ray's-a-laugh after one of my favourite acts Razorlight. Here's hoping we can sing as well as them!"

Last year's ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children in Need Appeal raised a record-breaking £37.8million with £672,000 awarded to nine separate projects from Essex in local grants.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Essex broadcasts on 95.3 & 103.5 FM, DAB digital radio and online via the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ iPlayer.

BG