...after mentoring from pro comics

Five top sports stars are to try their hand at stand-up as part of this year’s Sport Relief fundraising drive.

Ex-England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, sports broadcaster Gabby Logan and World Cup rugby star Ben Cohen are the first three names confirmed to appear.

They will each be coached by a different stand-up, with Patrick Kielty, Daniel Sloss, Chris Ramsey, Jason Manford and Andi Osho acting as mentors.

After their coaching, they will perform a three-minute set in front of an audience at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre on March 11.

Vaughan said: ‘I used to play cricket in front of 20,000 people but the thought of making 500 people laugh is terrifying. And having spent a day with my comedian, I've realised just how unfunny I am.’

Their efforts will be recorded for a BBC Three show Stand Up For Sport Relief, to be hosted by Claudia Winkleman.

Meanwhile, John Bishop has this morning started his cross-Channel row, having cycled from Paris to Calais. He travelled the 185 miles in less than 24 hours, has had an hour’s sleep, before taking to the seas.

He will be joined by Davina McCall, f Andrew Flintoff and Denise Lewis during the row – before running three back-to-back marathons to London.

Published: 28 Feb 2012