Channel 4 has confirmed the five plucky celebrities who are set to be thrust into the often unforgiving world of stand-up comedy for Stand Up and Deliver, an entertaining new two-part series in support of Stand Up To Cancer.

Broadcaster and Reverend Richard Coles, Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder, former Conservative Party co-Chairwoman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Love Island’s Ed Gamble lookalike Curtis Pritchard and former Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn will each be paired up with an established comic who’ll mentor and train them in their attempt to master the art of stand-up comedy. 

David Baddiel will coach Reverend Richard Coles, Jason Manford will be tasked with shepherding Shaun Ryder, Nick Helm will guide Baroness Warsi, Judi Love will be in charge of Curtis Pritchard and Zoe Lyons will champion Katie McGlynn.

Comedy takes great skill and timing to deliver a stand-up routine. The professionals have years to perfect their art whilst these celebrities have just weeks. The five famous faces will be tasked with perfecting their routine alongside their celebrity mentor before performing in a special stand-up performance. Who’ll have the last laugh and get top-billing as Stand Up and Deliver Champion?

Stand Up and Deliver was commissioned by Channel 4’s Head of Factual Entertainment, Alf Lawrie and Commissioning Editor Becky Cadman. Produced by Lime Pictures under Sarah Tyekiff, Head of Unscripted, with Tamsin Dodgson as Executive Producer and Genna Gibson, Series Producer. 

Becky Cadman, Commissioning Editor for Factual Entertainment at Channel 4 said, “This joyous Fact Ent series is both a masterclass in comedy, and a dramatic test of character. A Reverend, an actress, a politician, a reality star, and a musical legend already sounds like the start of a joke and watching them learn the craft of stand-up from five of the best in the business is brilliantly entertaining.” 

Sarah Tyekiff, Head of Unscripted at Lime Pictures said: “Lime Pictures are excited to kick off 2021 with some unexpected one liners and a lot of laughs, with this fantastic Fact Ent series for Channel 4 and Stand Up To Cancer. Stand Up and Deliver has been an unforgettable format to make. With some of the UK’s biggest comedy names leading the way, it’s full of surprises, shocks and sheer fear as, for one night only, five brave celebrities battle it out for the biggest laughs.” 

Launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer is a joint national fundraising initiative from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 that brings the UK together to speed up progress in life-saving cancer research. To date, Stand Up To Cancer has raised more than £62 million, funding 55 clinical trials and projects, involving over 11,000 patients across the country.

First part, Thursday, February 25, 9pm, C4.