With just three online gigs

Comedians raised almost £100,000 this weekend from just three online gigs.

The Covid Arms set a World Record for the most visitors to a virtual pub, attracting 6,215 visitors at its peak, for a pub quiz led by Kiri Pritchard-McLean.

And between them they have so far raised  £32,739 for the National Emergencies Trust. Donate more here.

Guests for the Friday night ‘lock-in’ included  Russell Howard, Nish Kumar, Jason Manford, Joel Dommett, Marcus Brigstocke, Rachel Parris, Lucy Beaumont and The Chase’s Jenny Ryan.

Also kicking off on Friday night was Mark Watson’s first online 24-hour show, called The Watsonathon.

Guests dropping in on webcam included Rufus Hound, Tim Key, Arthur Smith, Laura Lexx, Flo & Joan,  Jayde Adams, and Shappi Khorsandi.

They raised what Watson called a ‘sub-Captain Tom, but still nontrivial’ sum of £38,915 so far, exceeding his £30,000 target. Donate more here.

Stunts included  Saima Ferdows, watching all of Sex In The City, Adam Larter making a cardboard Gregs, Markus Birdman painting  a map of the world, Alistair Barrie builiding a raised flower bed, Tiernan Douieb trying hot chilli oils, Joz Norris attempting to read Mervyn Peake's Gormanghast in 24 hours, 

The money will be split between hospices, food charity FareShare and Heckle The Virus fund, which supports comedians suffering financially as their work vanishes.

And on Saturday night, comedians including Mel Giedroyc, Nick Helm, Tim Vine and Josie Long helped recreated a virtual Eurovision song contest, each representing a  nation of Europe.

Devised by musical comedian Tom Taylor, the fundraising total currently stands at £26,720 – shattering the £5,000 target he set. Donate more here.

Published: 3 May 2020