BBC stars brave snakes on desert plain for fund

Nine famous faces, also including singer Craig David, and presenter Lorraine Kelly, will embark on a journey across one of the world’s most inhospitable deserts – the Kaisut Desert in northern Kenya – covering 100km in five days in temperatures up to 40C.

As well as testing out their boots and rucksacks yesterday they also practised helping Radio 4 presenter Peter White, who is visually impaired, pick his way through the rocky terrain and were given a talk on the deadly creatures they might encounter, such as the Black Mamba snake and the fast-moving Camel spider.

O’Leary said: “We’re all ready to go now. We’ve had a practice walk to try and get used to the heat, but it’s going to be very tough - we all know that. The snake and spider briefing was interesting to say the least! It’s safe to say that we will be watching where we tread.”

The team will lead a caravan of camels which will be carrying their camping gear and equipment.

The BT Red Nose Desert Trek will raise money for Comic Relief projects in Africa and in the UK.

A documentary about the trek will be broadcast on BBC1 in the run-up to Red Nose Day on March 18.