Ed Balls and Dani Dyer confirmed for Comic Relief climb

30 January 2019

Dani Dyer, Ed Balls, and Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock have been confirmed for Comic Relief's Mount Kilimanjaro climb.

Ed Balls

The former 'Love Island' star, the ex-Labour politician and the singers will join forces with TV presenters Dan Walker, Alexander Armstrong, and Anita Rani, as well as NFL sports pundit Osi Umenyiora and 'Strictly Come Dancing' judge Shirley Ballas to scale 19,000ft up Africa's highest mountain.

Leigh-Anne said: "It's so amazing to be part of this challenge for Comic Relief.

"I can't wait to get to the top of Kilimanjaro and knowing that we are doing it for Comic Relief makes it incredibly special."

Jade added: "Leigh-Anne and I went to Liberia in 2014 for Red Nose Day and we have seen first-hand how much work this incredible charity does and how much it is needed.

"The nerves are certainly starting to kick in for the climb, but I'm lucky I will have Leigh-Anne up there with me and I can't wait to get stuck in with everyone."

The challenge kicks off in February and will be filmed for a special one-hour documentary, 'Kilimanjaro: The Return', to air on BBC One in the run up to Red Nose Day.

The team will face a gruelling eight-day trek battling altitude sickness, basic camping conditions and freezing night-time temperatures - taking them to their physical and mental limits - all to raise money for Comic Relief.

Former 'Strictly' contestant Ed admitted he cannot wait to waltz up the peak alongside Shirley.

He said: "It's an amazing group of climbers, I'm especially looking forward to dancing up the mountain with Shirley Ballas.

"My whole family are beyond excited that Jade and Leigh-Anne of Little Mix will be scaling Africa's highest mountain too."

Dani added: "I can't believe I'm really climbing Kilimanjaro! Comic Relief means so much to me and my family, and the money they raise does so much good, so I'm thrilled to be involved. It doesn't feel real yet, but I'm excited to put my backpack on and get going."

Emma Willis, Paddy McGuinness, Alesha Dixon, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett and Sir Lenny Henry have been confirmed as hosts for the 'Red Nose Day' show, which will feature numerous sketches and challenges.

Romesh, Rob and Lenny will appear at the one-off 'Spectacular' comedy gig in support of Comic Relief at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Thursday 28th February.

Russell Howard is also on the bill alongside comedy heavyweights Jimmy Carr, John Bishop, Katherine Ryan and Alan Carr.

He said: "Gigs like this are great as they help Comic Relief raise vital funds that enable them to help people here in the UK and around the world.

"Back in 2017, I travelled to Liberia for Red Nose Day where I saw first-hand how Comic Relief cash was making a difference to lives over there - it was such an eye opener; which is why I'm delighted to be joining forces with them again to take part in the first ever Comic Relief Spectacular.

"So grab your ticket now, for what promises to be an enormous, life-changing night of fun!"

'Comic Relief Does The Apprentice' will also make a return this year, and short film 'One Red Nose Day and a Wedding' will see the cast of 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' reunited 25 years on.

'Red Nose Day 2019' will be broadcast live on Friday March 15th, beginning at 7pm on BBC One.