Comedians line up in tribute band

British comedians will delight TV viewers tonight with a spoof Fake That tribute band and a hair-erasing stunt in the aid of Comic Relief.

BBC1 viewers will see an all-star comical cast forming a lookalike Take That band when the charity sketch is aired tonight.

TV personalities Alan Carr, James Corden, David Walliams, Catherine Tate and John Bishop will appear in an audition for a Take That tribute band - with the real band members sat behind the judges' table.

Attempting to capture the attention of the genuine boy band, the comedians pull out all the stops with complex dance moves and multiple costumes.

It will be the second time that Walliams has dressed up as Howard Donald after portraying him for TV's Rock Profiles over a decade ago.

Carr plays Mark Owen, Tate is Jason Orange, Corden becomes Gary Barlow and Bishop transforms into Robbie Williams in a bid to get money rolling in for Red Nose Day.

Walliams said: "Being in a boy band for the day was really tiring. We had to do all the dance moves - but when Take That did it they were like 22 - I'm 39, and I just thought 'I can't handle this'."

In another drive for donations TV funnymen, Frank Skinner, Al Murray and Jimmy Carr, receive a shock to the system when they are waxed by Denise Van Outen after losing a challenge.

The trio suffer the painful beauty treatment after losing a competition to launch their own flavour of Walkers crisps.

Winner Stephen Fry escaped the ordeal after his "Stephen Fry Up" crisp creation proved the most popular.

The losers, dressed in fluffy white robes, appeared rather pink after Van Outen tugged at their chest and leg hair.

Speaking afterwards, Skinner said "I'd like to say it didn't hurt but it really did - a lot" whilst Carr described it as "one of the most horrific experiences of my life".

The antics of the comedians are just a couple of the highlights of the BBC1 broadcast which begins at 7pm.

Other will include:

* Corden reviving his 'Gavin and Stacey' character Smithy who meets some of the biggest names in showbiz, including Paul McCartney;

* Kim Cattrall, Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley and Victoria Wood in a spoof of 'Downton Abbey';

* Tennis hero Andy Murray making a guest appearance in a special sketch of the BBC sitcom 'Outnumbered'.

Donations can be made at www.rednoseday.com.