Sing, Dance... And Laugh!

Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins on why they’re delighted to be hosting the spectacular Let’s Sing and Dance for Comic Relief.

- Sean Marland

Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins can’t contain their excitement about hosting BBC1 extravaganza Let’s Sing and Dance for Comic Relief, their first joint venture since quitting The Great British Bake Off last year.

In previous years, contestants just had to strut their stuff to their favourite tunes – who could forget comedian Robert Webb’s amazing Lycra-clad routine to Flash dance's What a Feeling or Rufus Hound’s incredible transformation into Cheryl to bust out Fight for This Love?

But this time the brave celebrities also have to show off their vocal talents!

Astrologer Russell Grant, TV presenter Matt Edmondson, comic Sara Pascoe, Absolutely Fabulous stars Helen Lederer and Harriet Thorpe, plus Kiss FM presenters Melvin Odoom and Rickie Haywood-Williams, are competing in the live first show this week.

The star-studded bill for the subsequent two heats includes actress Sally Lindsay, the formidable Chasers quiz aces, former Strictly pros James and Ola Jordan plus a joint performance from the casts of Holby City and Casualty.

To progress in the competition they must impress a celebrity panel (which changes every week). Sitting in judgement for week one are Paul O’Grady, Jo Brand and Frank Skinner. Together with viewers, they will decide who makes it through to the final, with the audience crowning the eventual winner. Here, Mel, 48, and Sue, 47, tell us more…

Why did you want to host Let’s Sing and Dance for Comic Relief?

Both: We love dancing!