Radio Stars stand up for Comic Relief

Radio presenters from across the BBC, including Tony Blackburn and Jenni Murray, are set for an epic comedy showdown as Stand Up For Comic Relief makes its return.

The six willing presenters will showcase their three-minute stand-up routine in front of a live studio audience as they vie for the votes of listeners at home.

Those taking part this year are Radio 1's Dev, Tony Blackburn from Radio 2, Tom Service from Radio 3, Jenni Murray from Radio 4, Tony Livesey from 5 live and Shaun Keaveny from 6 Music.

The wannabe comedians will be teamed up with professional mentors and put through an intensive two-week training programme before performing their routines at The Comedy Store on 22nd February 2011.

A limited number of free tickets will be available for the show, from Monday 14th February through the BBC Audiences website.

Tony Blackburn admitted he was a little nervous at the prospect: "I'm a great admirer of stand-up comics but I've never wanted to be one. I have a reputation for corny gags but on radio it takes ten seconds then I put a record on - I don't have to rely on getting a reaction. I'm petrified!"

Following a masterclass with Radio 4's Mark Thomas, the presenters will be paired up with their mentors - Dev with Chris Ramsey, Tony Blackburn with Julian Clary, Tom Service with Sandi Toksvig, Jenni Murray with Mark Steel, Tony Livesey with Justin Moorhouse and Shaun Keaveny with Miles Jupp.

A three-part series called Stand Up for Comic Relief, which charts their progress, will be going out on the 7th, 8th and 9th March on BBC Radio 4.

The winner will be announced across all the BBC Radio networks on Red Nose Day.