BBC and ITV stars will go head-to-head in a boat race for Sport Relief.

The BBC rowing team

The BBC rowing team

Familiar faces from the small screen have spent eight weeks training for the 1,200m long 'Clash of the Channels Boat Race' and have been put through their paces by rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave, with James Cracknell on hand to help the BBC team and Olympic champion Helen Glover assisting their rivals.

The BBC team comprises 'BBC Breakfast' host Dan Walker, DJs Sara Cox and Dev Griffin, 'Top Gear' presenter Rory Reid, 'Countryfile's Ellie Harrison and newsreader Sophie Raworth.

Lining for ITV is 'Good Morning Britain's Charlotte Hawkins, 'Coronation Street' actress Nicola Thorp, 'Emmerdale' actor Chris Bisson, 'Love Island' star Chris Hughes, former 'TOWIE' star-turned-presenter Ferne McCann and 'Benidorm' actor Jake Canuso.

Trainer Steve said: "Training for such a synchronised team sport like rowing is going to be a huge challenge for all of them. They'll need explosive energy, stamina and a great sense of timing, so anything could happen!

"Both teams have got world-class captains to lead them to the finish line. It's going to be a fantastic effort with some good old-fashioned rivalry thrown in. I can't wait to see who wins."

Meanwhile, after it was revealed footballing icons Chris Kamara, David Ginola and Alex Scott will go head-to-head in 'Strictly Come Dancing for Sport Relief', it has now been confirmed who they will dance with.

Arsenal ladies player Alex, 33, has been partnered with Pasha Kovalev, while French star-turned-pundit David, 51 will dance with show veteran Karen Clifton and 60-year-old Sky Sports star Chris will take to the floor with Anya Garnis, who 'Strictly' fans may remember from the 2013 series, when she was partnered with 'Casualty' star Patrick Robinson.

The couples will face judges Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell for a one-off special that will see them showcase their best footwork to New Order's classic football anthem 'World In Motion'.

And pictures from filming revealed Liverpool FC legend John Barnes -

who competed in the 2007 series of 'Strictly' - returned to perform his famous rap from the song, though it's unclear if he did that during each of the contestants' dances.

The sporting special was filmed during the 'Strictly Come Dancing Live' show at the SSE Arena, Wembley, in London, so is hosted by 2016 champion Ore Oduba, who presented this year's tour.

Fourth judge Shirley Ballas was missing from the panel as she was away in America during the tour.

'Clash of the Channels Boat Race: BBC vs ITV' and 'Strictly Come Dancing's Sport Relief' special will air on Friday 23 March on BBC1


Tagged in