21 February 2005 :
Radio 1
Radio 1 was at the 'Celebrity Fame Academy' launch today (Monday).
It's all in aid of Comic Relief. The contestants include Pub Landlord Al Murray, Radio 1's Edith Bowman, 'Corrie' Actress Debra Stephenson and 'Eastender''s Kim Medcalf.
Impressionist John Culshaw told me he's got to use his own voice for this:
"I'm told I'm not allowed to do impressions, but I'll try and make each song sound a bit different."
"Some I'll try and do a bit of growling rock and roll. There'll be some crooning type ones."
"I'm going to try and do 'Electric Avenue' by Eddy Grant in a full on Jamaican accent if I'm allowed to."
"That's what the spirit of Comic Relief does 'Fame Academy' is all about."
Comedian Jenny Eclair told Radio 1 she's dreading performing:
"My singing voice is very poor. I've spent the last 25 years screaming on the stage."
"I also unfortunately am the last smoker left in the world, so they'll stop me smoking and I'll just be bad tempered."
"I hate music. I can't recognise any tunes. I don't even have a ringtone on my phone because I can't recognise a tune."
"So I have my daughter's voice saying 'Pick it up you silly woman, you know it's in your bag, just pick it up'."
The other celebrities lined up to take part are 'DIY SOS' presenter Nick Knowles, Adrian Edmondson, CBBC presenter Reggie Yates, Gina Yashere from '3 Non Blondes', Christopher Colquhoun from 'Casualty' and 'Monarch of the Glen's Dawn Steele.
Kim Medcalf is 2-1 favourite to win with comedian Al Murray close behind.
