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Children all around the country will get the unique opportunity to compete in C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's very own Glee Club contest whilst also helping to raise awareness for Red Nose Day 2011. Presented by resident C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ hosts Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes, this special all singing, all dancing C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ series has been auditioning hundreds of groups of young hopefuls from across the UK. The best 18 performance groups have been selected and will go forward to a second round of auditions due to take place in January 2011.

These lucky groups will be put through their paces by top professional vocal coaches and a choreographer to ensure only the brightest and best performers make the final cut as only nine groups will be chosen to take part in the live shows.

The final nine groups will then showcase their singing and dancing abilities in front of millions of viewers in a series of live daily programmes due to be shown on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One during the week leading up to Red Nose Day on 18 March 2011.

Damian Kavanagh, Controller of C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for our young viewers to realise their dreams of performing on a huge stage and encourage people to raise money for a good cause at the same time. The shows will be packed with entertainment and with the added high drama of the competition – this will be an unmissable week for all viewers."

During the opening show, viewers will get the chance to see the auditioning process in action including how professional coaches selected the final nine groups for the live shows. There will then be three live heats leading up to Red Nose Day, with each show featuring three of the nine finalist groups from each auditioning category.

They will perform in front of the professional coaches and a variety of celebrity commentators, after which it will be down to the public to decide on the final three groups who will proceed to the live final show on Friday 18 March.

Chris Wilson, Head of Broadcast at Comic Relief, said: "Comic Relief is thrilled that C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is making such a wonderful song and dance about this year's Red Nose Day. C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is throwing its support behind our Schools & Youth campaign like never before. It's fantastic that younger ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ viewers are being given the chance to engage in the event and Do Something Funny for Money."

C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Glee Club will also be supporting Red Nose Day fundraising by encouraging children to host their own "Glee for a Fee" shows at home or at school. The money they raise will help to improve the lives of vulnerable people across the UK and Africa. More details will be available on the and websites.

Notes to Editors

Red Nose Day

Red Nose Day is back on Friday 18 March 2011. You can join in the fun at rednoseday.com.

Comic Relief was launched on Christmas Day in 1985, live on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One. At that time, a devastating famine was crippling Ethiopia and something had to be done. That something was Comic Relief.

The idea was simple – Comic Relief would make the public laugh while they raised money to help people in desperate need. Before too long, Red Nose Day was created and the first ever event, in 1988, raised a staggering £15m.

To date, 12 Red Nose Days have raised more than £500m. That money has helped, and is helping, to support people and communities in dire need both in the UK and Africa.

Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).

ED2