Dara O'Briain, Melanie C, Jack Dee, Chelsee Healey, Phillips Idowu and Greg James' dramatic journey down the Zambezi for Red Nose Day is finally coming to living rooms around the country in "Comic Relief: Through Hell and High Water", airing on Thursday 14th March at 8pm on BBC One.
The documentary sees the team battle a five day ordeal, travelling under their own steam down Africa’s mighty Zambezi River to raise as much cash as possible for Red Nose Day. It broadcasts the dramatic moment comedian Dara O Briain and athlete Phillips Idowu are struck by catastrophe as they are carried by the current down the wrong white water rapid. The twosome have to think quick as Dara is thrown out of the boat and left desperately clinging onto a tree for 40 minutes, whilst the remainder of the group wait anxiously to hear of their fate.
The rest of the programmes sees the celebrity challengers push themselves to the limit, taking on rapids officially known as ‘Gnashing Jaws of Death’, ‘The Washing Machine’ and ‘Oblivion’. Along the way they encounter some of the world’s most deadly creatures – hippos. By night there is none of the five star luxury the stars are used to, as they camp on treacherous cliff tops and damp, soggy riverbanks.
The documentary allows viewers an insight into not only what life was like for the celebrities over their challenging week – but also what life is like for those in need. The team put itself through hell and high water in the hope of raising money to help children in Zambia go to school. This could pay for life-changing education for thousands of vulnerable girls, offering them an escape from poverty and safety from child marriage and pregnancy. The documentary sees the celebrities engage with children from the local community, with some joining the children on their daily two hour walk to school, whilst others stay behind in the village to understand why the rest of the children can’t go.
For more information, visit www.rednoseday.com.
