TV Talent vocal coach leads local choirs and thousands of visitors in the North West's largest Christmas sing-along

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet hosted thousands of singers in the North West’s first and largest organised Christmas sing-along, in aid of Claire House Children’s Hospice.

Celebrity vocal coach Yvie Burnett, who has trained local singer Rebecca Ferguson as well as international stars such as Katy Perry, Leona Lewis and Goldfrapp’s Alison, led the chorus along with Radio City 96.7 presenters Jay and Claire from the hit breakfast show Rossie and Co.

Members of local choirs including the BBC’s Manchester Airport Choir, A Handbag of Harmonies and The Chester Songbirds performed Christmas hits including ‘Winter Wonderland’ ‘Rocking around the Christmas Tree’ and ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’, whilst an enthusiastic crowd prepared for their moment.

Yvie ensured the crowd were in fine voice by providing expert hints and tips for the key and tune and then the crowds joined in one voice to sing ‘All I want for Christmas is You’ and ‘I wish it could be Christmas everyday’.

The climax of the evening was when the centre’s lights and the UK’s tallest artificial tree, with over to 80,000 baubles and 100,000 lights were lit, by four of the children from Claire House Children’s Hospice, Name –age, Name-age, Name-age and Name-Age. This was accompanied by a dazzling array of fireworks.

Yvie Burnett Vocal Coach says “I’ve had so much fun with the crowd and the kids from Claire House. I may have flown all over the world coaching superstars, but at Christmas time nothing can beat a festive sing-along in aid of a good course. I’m really impressed with the quality of the North West singers and think they must be Britain’s’ most tuneful region.”

Brain Handley, Centre Manager Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet says, “The lighting of the Christmas tree and Centre lights always heralds the start of Christmas here at Cheshire Oaks. Over the next six weeks we expect to see approximately one million people visiting, snapping up Christmas gifts for all the family and taking advantage of premium and designer brands with savings of up to 60%.”

Jordan Lodge, 11, from Liverpool who attends Claire House Children’s Hospice, who switched on the lights says; “It was so exciting to be part of this event, I loved the sing along and it was so fun to meet Yvie. All of us at Claire House are really happy to be here and we would like to say thank you to everyone who made this evening happen, I think the tree and the lights look beautiful too.”

The evening, which was raising funds for Claire House; the chosen charity for Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet this festive season. www.cheshireoaksdesigneroutlet.com

Photography by Mark Waugh