A TELEVISION presenter famed for his flamboyant performances on the X-Factor has visited a youth club in Southend in preparation for a charity karaoke challenge.

Rylan Clark-Neal, 31, from Stanford-le-Hope, is gearing up to raise money for BBC Children In Need by singing karaoke renditions of popular songs for 24-hours.

Ahead of the audacious fundraising attempt, Rylan dropped into the Triple T youth club to see firsthand how his efforts will contribute to the lives of others.

The weekly club is provided by the Southend Association of Voluntary Services, which is one of many lifechanging projects funded by Children In Need.

It receives a three-year grant to provide three weekly Triple T clubs, which disadvantaged young people in Southend can benefit from.

Ryland’s visit saw him taking part in come creative arts and crafts and he also played Hungry Hippos and a game of Dodgeball with the excited young children.

The Radio 2 DJ and host of Supermarket Sweep believes the stop-off will act as further inspiration for him when he tackles the vocal extravaganza.

He said: “It was amazing, and do you know what, I didn't actually think about this when I signed up to do this.

“I didn't really think that I would need that, but actually visiting the project and meeting all the kids and volunteers and speaking to them and understanding how much this money impacts their lives, when I am sort of dying at four o' clock in the morning trying to garble together a song I know what I'm doing it for now.”

The challenge continues in a similar vein to the 24-hour danceathon which Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman did last year for Comic Relief.

Rylan, however, has said he will not be asking them for any advice.

He said: "My training is to forget about it because if I think about it too much... I remember I spoke to Tess and Claudia when they did the 24-hour danceathon for Comic Relief and they are two people I will not talk to about this because I know they will probably talk me out of it."

Amazingly Rylan is currently unaware of what soaring tracks he will be required to cover and the famous faces he will be duetting alongside.

But he is hoping that all five members of the Spice Girls will drop in for a performance.

He said: “At the moment I have no idea what songs I'll be singing, or who will be joining me on the day, or what outfits I'll be wearing - I'm being kept in the dark for the moment and it's all a surprise.

"But my go to karaoke song would have to be Craig David Fill Me In - so let's hope that one comes up.

“My absolute dream karaoke duet partners would be all five of the Spice Girls, obviously - but to be honest I usually sing with whoever is willing to take me."

The karaoke challenge will start at the end of the Zoe Ball Breakfast show at 9am on November 12 and will take place at Radio 2's studios in London.

It will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, and streamed live on the BBC Red Button, where viewers will be able to see Clark-Neal and some of his guests performing.