Dara O Briain and Jack Dee to row the Zambezi

Dara O Briain and Jack Dee are to row 68 miles along the Zambezi river next week, in aid of Comic Relief.

They will brave crocodiles, hippos and rapids known as Gnashing Jaws of Death, The Washing Machine and Oblivion during their five-day challenge.

Their group, which also includes former Spice Girl Mel C, actress Chelsee Healey and DJ Greg James will be paddling for up to eight hours a day in dugout boats and canoes... with white water rafts to tackle the faster-flowing water.

And they will camp alongside the African river as they make their way towards the world's largest waterfall, Victoria Falls.

O Briain said: ‘When I was first asked to do this challenge, I did a quick Google search of Zambezi rafting but after the 10th page of people being instantly flung into the water I turned off the computer.

‘But lives can be changed if people put their hands in their pockets in exchange for our misery so that sounds like a fair deal.’

And Dee added that he feared a day of training they have undergone at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in London was probably woefully inadequate.

‘I have a sense that it's probably like having a go on the dodgems in order to go and do Formula One at Monaco,’ he said. ;I suspect the difference is going to be fairly considerable.’

It’s hope the BT Red Nose Challenge: Hell And High Water will raise more than £1million for education projects in Zambia, ahead of Red Nose Day on March 15. Click here to donate.

The feat follows similar feats of endurance for the charity, such as David Walliams swimming the English Channel and the Straits of Gibraltar, and John Bishop running, cycling and rowing from Paris to London.

Published: 22 Jan 2013