LONDON, Nov.

All The Fun Of The Fair Regent Theatre DAVID Essex is well known for his musical talents, but could he act? All The Fun Of The Fair certainly put this to the test as the show opened to a full house last night at the Regent Theatre in Hanley.

By Viv Hardwick Viv Hardwick talks to radio boss Kevin Howard as Smooth Radio takes to the air at GatesheadSMOOTH Radio couldn't have had any performer more smooth than David Essex as its opening guest when the station took to the air from its Gateshead studios on Tuesday.

POP veteran David Essex yesterday flicked the switch to turn on the latest radio to hit the North-East airwaves. Smooth Radio will play easy-listening tracks from five decades. Yesterday the station celebrated its first day on air with 1970s star Essex.

SEVENTIES singer David Essex has helped to launch