Stand Up to Cancer show raises more than £31m
THE star-studded Stand Up To Cancer broadcast raised more than £31m towards research into new treatments for the disease, Channel 4 said.
Hosted by Davina McCall, Alan Carr, Maya Jama and Adam Hills, the show featured A-list cameos including Ed Sheeran and Olivia Colman.
Among the stars featured, Sir Tom Jones delivered a musical tribute to his late wife Linda, who died from lung cancer in 2016.
The Pontypridd chart-topper has already opened up on his grief for his late wife of 59 years, and paid tribute to her on his latest LP Surrounded by Time.
On the album, the track I Won’t Crumble If You Fall was inspired by her response to doubts he had about being able to carry on singing without her.
Shortly before her death, Sir Tom said Linda told him: “Don’t fall with me. I’ve got to go, but you don’t have to.”
Meanwhile, Friday’s broadcast also included a tribute to comedian Sean Lock, who died of cancer earlier this year aged 58.
And The Wanted’s Tom Parker discussed his experience of living with a brain tumour.
The final total raised was £31,169,340, Channel 4 said.
During the programme, Parker shared his advice for other cancer patients.
“I think you have just got to have a positive mindset,” he said. “I think cancer can consume you very quickly and very easily.
“You know, there was a time at the start of this journey where I couldn’t really get out of bed.
“I was just so consumed by cancer and it wasn’t the physical side of things, it was the mental side of things really.
“All I was thinking was I was going to die, what’s the point in getting out of bed.”
Sheeran also played an adapted version of his song Bad Habits which urged viewers to donate to Stand Up To Cancer.
A special edition of Celebrity Gogglebox also featured celebrities including actor Michael Sheen and his girlfriend Anna Lundberg, comedians Aisling Bea and Robert Delaney and Great British Bake Off presenter Matt Lucas and his mother Diana.
Rapper Aitch and England footballer Kalvin Phillips also appeared in the segment.