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³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ South Today's Sally Taylor will be Doing Something Different for this year's ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need appeal and she wants you to join her.

After spending 21 years working in TV, Sally will be ditching the South Today sofa to tread the boards at the Kings Theatre in Southsea, with none other than a six-foot yellow bear as co-host.

Sally and her new friend Pudsey Bear will be taking to the stage on Sunday 15 November to present a gala evening of top entertainment in aid of Children in Need.

For one night only Sally and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ South will be bringing together an array of top acts to delight and entertain – from comedy to opera, rock 'n' roll to The Archers, there promises to be something for everyone.

The Silver Beatles, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2 favourite Jon Allen and Mark Kermode's band the Dodge Brothers will have everyone dancing in the aisles, while The Archers stars Charles Collingwood and Judy Bennett will be dishing all the gossip from Ambridge and life behind the scenes in radio's most famous country community.

Fascinating Aida will also be on hand with their "Sex And The City with harmonies" style, with Dillie Keane and the girls very much looking forward to returning to Dillie's home town, Southsea, for the event.

There'll be a touch of culture added to the mix by opera stars Claire Rutter and Stephen Gadd and the Sussex Symphony Orchestra while comedian Colin Owens will keep the laughter flowing.

Plus, in their one and only appearance, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ South Today All-Stars featuring all your favourite ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Solent and South Today presenters, will be taking to the stage to perform a routine from a hit West End musical, with no doubt hilarious results!

Sally says: "I'm very excited. This is going to be an absolutely fantastic evening. The calibre of the acts we've manage to persuade to join us and raise money for Children in Need is stunning – the music alone is fantastic, something for everyone from Beatles' classics and rock 'n' roll to opera, and even skiffle.

"The line-up of stars is unique and you'll never get these people together again for one night only on one stage! I can't wait. So make sure you join us."

Up Close & Personal With Sally & Friends takes place at the Kings Theatre in Southsea on Sunday 15 November and is a ticket-only event. More information on what promises to be an unforgettable night can be found at bbc.co.uk/southtoday.

Tickets cost £12.50/£10 and a minimum of 75% of the price of the ticket (net of VAT) will benefit the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need Appeal.

Tickets are available from the Kings Theatre Box Office on 02392 82 82 82 or via the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Audiences website at bbc.co.uk/showsandtours.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need : 20 November

Children In Need's annual live broadcast takes place on Friday 20 November at 7.00pm on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ South's Pudsey Party outside broadcast taking place at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

Thanks to your creativity, support and commitment last year, Children in Need raised more than £38million which will make a positive change to thousands of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

The 2009 Children in Need Appeal is around the corner and we need your help again. We couldn't do it without you, and this year we are asking everyone to Do Something Different and help us raise money.

To support this year's appeal or donate money please call 03457 33 22 33. For more info or to download a fundraising pact visit bbc.co.uk/pudsey.

Notes to Editors

Sally Taylor is available for interview, as are some of the acts.

Up Close & Personal with Sally Taylor – full line-up

The Silver Beatles
"Probably the best Beatles band in the world.....ever!"

"And in the end, the love they make... is equal to the love you take... a splendid time is guaranteed for all!"

Fascinating Aida
Imagine Sex And The City with harmonies... imagine Absolutely Fabulous sung by the Andrews Sisters... imagine Noel Coward, but ruder... Dillie Keane, Adele Anderson and Liza Pullman are currently touring and very much looking forward to returning to Kings Theatre – and Dillie's home town, Southsea – for Children in Need.

Jon Allen
Uncut Jon Allen's music is evocative of the folk rock scene of the late Sixties/early Seventies and sits comfortably with contemporaries such as Ryan Adams, Jose Gonzales and Damien Rice.

His tracks In Your Light, a soulful ballad, and Down By The River were playlisted on Radio 2 and championed by the likes of Ken Bruce, Johnnie Walker, Dermot O'Leary and Bob Harris.

Charles Collingwood & Judy Bennett
Married and living near Petersfield, Charles and Judy are best-known as Brian Aldridge and Shula Hebden Lloyd in The Archers. The pair have kindly agreed to leave Ambridge for one night only to join Sally on stage in Southsea.

Charles is currently busy touring the country publicising his new autobiograhy, Brian And Me, and Judy continues to be happily married to the JR of Ambridge.

Sussex Symphony Orchestra
Based in Brighton, and formed in 1993, SSO is now rated as one of the best of its kind in the country. Performing primarily at premier venues across the south of England, the SSO attracts critical acclaim for its programming and quality of performance under its inspirational founder, conductor, Mark Andrew James.

The Dodge Brothers
The Dodge Brothers, renowned for playing the hell out of classic Americana, have been described as "wonderful stuff" by Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris. They play an exuberant hybrid of country blues, rockabilly, jugband and skiffle.

The Dodge Brothers features Mike Hammond (lead guitar, lead vocals), Mark Kermode (bass, harmonica, vocals), Aly Hirji (rhythm guitar, mandolin, vocals) and Alex Hammond (washboard, snare drum, percussion).

Claire Rutter and Stephen Gadd
World-renowned and world-class husband and wife opera duo Claire and Stephen met when cast together in a production for Scottish Opera, and married the following year.

Their home, when not globetrotting with their various opera performances, is Winchester. Claire joins this show fresh from performing in the title role in a new production of Aida for Australian Opera at Sydney Opera House, while Stephen is preparing for the title role in Verdi's Macbeth at Glyndebourne next summer.

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