TV stars to brave the desert for Comic Relief

Olly Murs, Dermot O'Leary and Kara Tointon are among the stars set to embark on a gruelling desert trek for Comic Relief.

The threesome will join Nadia Sawalha, Craig David, Lorraine Kelly, Scott Mills, Ronni Ancona and Peter White as they take on one of the most inhospitable deserts in the world in the hope of raising thousands for Red Nose Day.

Battling against tough terrain, potentially deadly beasts and temperatures of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the group are hoping to cover 100 kilometres of Kenya's vast Kaisut Desert in just five days.

However, 2009's 'X Factor' runner-up Olly is thrilled to be embarking on the tough challenge, as it will give him a chance to "de-stress" away from the pressures of his busy life.

He explained: "There isn't going to be a shop nearby. There won't be a Blackberry or iPad. For five says or so we'll be without any communication with anyone. I'll be quite happy. I get bombarded with emails and phone calls.

"It will be nice to have a few days without all that and get away from it all. I will de-stress and just relax.

The 'Thinking Of Me' hitmaker also admitted he is prepared to forego a limb to raise cash that will improve the lives of disadvantaged people living in the UK and Africa.

He added to The Sun newspaper: "There are lions and all sorts. We've got to expect the unexpected. One of us might come home without an arm, but hey ho."

The team will fly out to Kenya to begin the BT Red Nose Day Desert Trek on February 16.

A small amount of cash can make a huge difference to projects here in the UK and in Africa, so sponsor the team at rednoseday.com/trek now.