last updated on March 18, 2010 14:26

GB’s most successful para dressage rider Lee Pearson has swapped test sheets for music scores this week to join the first ever Sport Relief choir. Led by inspirational choir master Gareth Malone from the hit TV show, 14 Olympic and Paralympic athletes have been brought together to perform a special live recital on BBC2 Friday 19 March at 10 pm.

Choristers also taking part include sporting heroes Roger Black, Steve Backley, Kriss Akabusi and Daley Thompson. A week of hard graft has unveiled hidden talents among the group, not least in Pearson who has been awarded one of only two solo parts in the performance.

“I hope all BD members will get behind me and donate as much as they can” commented Lee “Gareth is great but the training for this has been torturous, it’s all live and very scary!”

A progress report from Gareth Malone posted on his Facebook page yesterday read: “Olympians are struggling with four part harmony. There's a surprise! But I have a couple of secret weapons. Some are surprisingly good. Surprising too because I don't think they thought they'd enjoy it. Performance live on BBC2 10pm. This Friday.”

The money raised by Sport Relief is spent by Comic Relief and helps transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people, both at home and across the world’s poorest countries.

Find out more and donate here: www.sportrelief.com/sponsor-donate