Including Holby's Chizzy Akudolu

Holby City and Strictly star Chizzy Akudolu, pictured, sprinter Dwain Chambers, Channel 4 F1 presenter Steve Jones and EastEnders’ Suzette Llewellyn, pictured, are to make their stand-up debuts in a charity gig this month.

They will be  performing at the alongside professional comics including Curtis Walker and Adam Bloom at London’s Backyard Comedy Club to raise funds for the  Comedy School.

Now celebrating its 25^th anniversary, the charity uses comedy to run training and education projects in schools, prisons, rehabilitation centres and mental health institutions.

Comedy School patron Andi Osho said: ‘The Comedy School Comedy Challenge is going to be a really special night and I am super proud and impressed by our amazing celebs who are giving this a go.

‘Though it’s daunting, I think they’re all going to have a lot of fun and I’m sure the audience are going to love the showcase too.  It’s important to find new, innovative ways to raise awareness and, of course, important funds for the charity, and this challenge is a brilliant one.’

Comedy School founder Keith Palmer added: ‘At the beginning of September four brave celebrities accepted The Comedy’s School’s 25^th anniversary comedy challenge.

‘Learning their new craft in just a few short weeks, and after 12 full hours of coaching, they will now be performing their stand-up routine in front of a live audience for the very first time.  We can’t wait for the audience and the professional comedians to see the results.

‘For 25 years, The Comedy School has followed the belief that everyone is capable of creating laughter – with a little bit of professional help.  What better way to prove this than in front of a live audience!’

Tickets for the show at the Backyard Comedy Club in Bethnal Green on October 22  are available here, priced at £12.50 in advance or £15 on the door.

Published: 4 Oct 2023