Tony Blackburn etc in Comic Relief stunt

Six of the BBC’s top radio presenters – including Tony Blackburn and Jenni Murray – are to try their hand at stand-up.

A representative from each of the BBC national stations is to take part in the challenge, in aid of Comic Relief.

They are Dev from Radio 1, Tony Blackburn from Radio 2, Tom Service from Radio 3, Jenni Murray from Radio 4’s Women’s Hour, Tony Livesey from 5 Live and Shaun Keaveny from 6 Music.

They met last week for the first time at London’s Comedy Store where they were given an introductory masterclass by Mark Thomas. Over the following two weeks each of the fledgling comics will be mentored by a different professional comedian, who will help them develop a three minute routine.

Dev is to be mentored by Chris Ramsey, Blackburn by Julian Clary, Service by Sandi Toksvig, Murray by Mark Steel, Livesey by Justin Moorhouse and Keaveny by Miles Jupp.

They will then be pitched against each other in a return appointment at the Comedy Store at lunchtime on February 18, with the most successful announced simultaneously across the BBC radio networks on Red Nose Day, March 18.

Dev said: ‘This is one of the most exciting and terrifying things I have ever agreed to do. My closest friends find me vaguely amusing so it will be interesting to see how my sense of humour will work in a room of strangers.’

Blackburn added: ‘I’m a great admirer of stand-up comics but I’ve never wanted to be one. I have a reputation for corny gags but on radio it takes ten seconds then I put a record on - I don’t have to rely on getting a reaction. I’m petrified.’

Livesey also said he was ‘terrified’ – adding: ‘I only know one joke and that is from the Chuckle Brothers. Still, my humiliation will be for a good cause.’

Their progress will be tracked over the three-part series Stand Up for Comic Relief going out from March 7 to 9 on Radio 4.

Published: 14 Feb 2011