Men in pants raise money for British cancer charity

Tennis star Greg Rusedski has been caught in his undies for a charity calendar, along with other celebrities from the sport, TV and pop worlds.

The British number two was snapped in his smalls for the Men In Pants Calendar 2004 which raises cash for a male cancer charity.

Others who have bared almost all this year include actor Will Mellor, chart act Big Brovaz and Charlton football star Paolo Di Canio.

Marks & Spencer, men’s magazine Esquire and the Everyman charity teamed up for the saucy moneyspinner, which last year raised £50,000 (€72,000).

They hope the calendar will help female buyers to encourage their boyfriends or husbands to take male cancer more seriously.

Rusedski said that looking after your body while you are younger would be beneficial in the long term.

He jokingly advised: “Never wear old underwear with holes in, because you never know when you’ll need to pay a visit to the doctor.”

Former Chelsea and Spurs star Jason Cundy, who also appears in the calendar, has been involved in raising cancer awareness after being diagnosed with testicular cancer six years ago.

Cundy, an Everyman patron, said: “I know how important it is for men to not be embarrassed about these issues.

“Early diagnosis can make all the difference so I hope this calendar will encourage more men to think about their health and to take action if something is wrong.”

Other stars featured on the calendar include athlete Jamie Baulch and The Bill actor Scott Maslen.

The calendar goes on sale, priced £4 with £2 going to charity, at M&S branches from November 17.

A smaller version of the calendar will be inserted into the January issue of Esquire, on sale next month.