15 August 2012 Last updated at 08:01 ET

BBC to air eight-hour Edinburgh comedy marathon

The show's hosts include Radio 1 and T4 presenter Jameela Jamil

The BBC will broadcast eight hours of live comedy from the Edinburgh Fringe festival during a show on the Red Button this Friday evening, 17 August.

More than 40 acts including Nina Conti and Paul Foot will feature in the BBC Three Comedy Marathon, fronted by Radio 1's Jameela Jamil.

Highlights will be shown as part of a series on BBC Three later this month.

Viewers will also be encouraged to get involved by sending messages on Twitter to form part of the show.

Chris Ramsey, Andrew Maxwell and Susan Calman will share MC duties during the mammoth broadcast, which starts at 9pm and finishes in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Calman said she was "excited" to be taking part, adding: "Anything can and probably will happen. It'll be unmissable!"

There will also be extra programmes made for BBC Scotland and BBC Northern Ireland.

The line-up includes comedians Janey Godley and Jimeoin and music from beatboxer Petebox.

"This is the Edinburgh Fringe as you should see it," said executive producer Will Saunders. "Late, live and full of surprises."