Fame Academy Judges

Richard Parks

Richard Parks
Role: Head Teacher
Skills: Music industry guru
Style: Harsh but fair

Head Teacher Richard Park gained the respect of all the students during the first series of Fame Academy. Though he was never shy to criticise when things went wrong, famously announcing after the series' first live show that there was "an awful lot of work to do," the oft-stern Scot was also supportive of his charges.
Other things you need to know about Richard Park:
Voted most influential person in the music industry by record and radio industry executives in 2001

Started as a radio reporter, then presenter, specialising in music and sports programming. Worked way up to Head of Entertainment at Radio Clyde and then moved to Capital Radio

Former Programme Controller at Capital Radio (1987-1993), responsible for starting many DJ's careers including Pete Tong, Tim Westwood and Neil "Dr" Fox. Put Chris Tarrant in place and created the most successful breakfast show in the UK

Chairman of The Prince's Trust Party in the Park Committee (1998 - 2001)

Director of Wildstar Records, responsible for signing Craig David

Worked with George Michael on his last album

Fame Academy Judges

Carrie Grant

Carrie Grant
Role: Vocal Coach
Skills: Experienced singer and coach
Style: Dedicated and decisive

Under the spotlights of the Academy live shows, red-headed Vocal Coach Carrie was never scared to speak her mind when she felt standards had dropped - despite occasionally earning a chorus of boos for her frankness. Notwithstanding, she was always supportive of the students in private, constantly spurring them on to greater things.

Other things you need to know about Carrie:
Session singer working with artists including Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, Rod Stewart, Lighthouse Family, Fat Boy Slim

Vocal coach for pop acts such as S-Club 7, Atomic Kitten, Will Young, Victoria Beckham, Vanessa Mae, Emma Bunton, Charlotte Church, Take That, Melanie C

Teaches on Senior Business Management training courses. Used singing as training tool for seminars at The Foreign Office, Barings Bank, Body Shop, Express Newspapers and BBC Worldwide

Co-founded ten-piece multi-racial group United Colours of Sound which featured in a 50-minute BBC TV documentary "The Quest." Band performed on the No 1 single "Evergreen" recorded by Will Young and Gareth Gates, as well as singing on this year's UK Eurovision entry, and hit single "Come Back" by Jessica Garlick

Fame Academy Judges

David Grant

David Grant
Role: Vocal Coach
Skills: Experienced singer and coach
Style: Methodical but relaxed

Vocal Coach David Grant is not only experienced in tackling the tonsil troubles of celebs like Gareth Gates, Will Young and Jessica Garlick - he's Carrie's husband too. Chilled out David is patient and thorough, but he won't hesitate to set students straight if they get too big for their designer boots!

Chart star in the early 1980s with Brit-funk duo Linx. David teamed up with Jaki Graham in 1985 for the Top 5 single Could It Be I'm Falling In Love.

Worked as a session singer with the likes of Diana Ross, Al Jarreau, Lighthouse Family and Fatboy Slim

Co-founded ten-piece multi-racial group United Colours of Sound which were featured in a 50-minute BBC TV documentary, "The Quest." Band performed on Will Young and Gareth Gates' No 1 single "Evergreen" and sang on the 2002 Eurovision entry, the hit single "Come Back" by Jessica Garlick.

Alongside Carrie, David was presented with the MOBO Award for Best Gospel Act in 1998 after achieving success with their Watching And Waiting album