The Secret Policeman is back with his ball and this time he's armed with a blog. No, it's not Cleese behind it or even in front of it this year, we're afraid. But as the pioneering philanthropic performer who paved the way for the first Secret Policeman's Ball in 1979 and spawned the big name benefit gig genre, he deserved a mention and always looks amusing.
This year's almost finalised line up is a far cry from the early days when Ben Elton was alternative and, so far, we're hard pushed to imagine who's going to bring a spot of genuine naughtiness and edge to the event. But at least you can bank on a bag full of ballsy blog gags in the build up to this big, bad fundraiser for Amnesty International. And if you don't like this line up, why not make up your own?
It's for charity so you have to fork out the readies to attend the "star studded night of comedy, entertainment and music" but we have got 5 copies of the 2006 Ball DVD to give away to you, and get you in the mood. Just answer this simple question as best you can: what is Fearne Cotton doing in the line up?
Entrants must be over 18.The Secret Policeman's Ball is on Saturday 4 October at 7pm. You can invest in an enormously expensive (charity, remember) Albert Hall ticket here, or purchase a slightly more reasonably priced cinema ticket and watch the thing screened live in a Picture House near you. No popcorn allowed but the show will be replete with all spontaneous swearing and inappropriate jokes, without you having to travel to South Kensington. Or catch the edited version on Ch4, Sunday 5th October.
