JENNIFER SAUNDERS AND OTI MABUSE SET FOR COURT FIGHT
RENOWNED as one of the nation’s best-loved comedy actresses and writers, Jennifer Saunders has been showered with awards and plaudits over the years.
Since coming to public attention with her longtime comedy partner Dawn French in the early 1980s, Jennifer has won a host of awards, including three Baftas.
However, the performer, who turned 61 earlier this month, had a specific childhood dream that she never got to fulfil. Until now...
“This might be my only chance to hold up a sporting trophy and I’m not letting this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away from me,” she says about leading a team out in this special match to raise money for Sport Relief. “When I pull on that netball bib I’ll be taking my role as team captain very seriously. My team is going to be unstoppable and there certainly won’t be any cheating going on...” This programme, presented by Clare Balding, will showcase the star-studded netball match at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool as part of the Netball World Cup final weekend, and follow the ups and downs of team training, from their very first session through to the nail-biting game in front of the capacity crowd.
But despite her determination to finally live her sporting dream, Jennifer won’t be getting it all her own way.
Captaining the other team is Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse, who grew up playing netball in South Africa.
The 28-year-old, who was also a captain on The Greatest Dancer, will be hoping her years of ballroom and Latin training pay off, as she hot foots it around the court.
She says: “Netball has always been something I have really enjoyed. As a team captain, I’ll be whipping my team into shape to keep Jennifer on her toes and make sure we bring that trophy home.”
Eager to make their captains proud are Love Island’s Montana Brown, ex-heptathlete and former Olympic champion Denise Lewis, Sarah Hadland (Miranda), Sally Phillips (Smack the Pony), former England footballer Sue Smith, The Mash Report’s Ellie Taylor, Capital FM Breakfast presenter Vick Hope, comedian Luisa Omielan, BBC Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts, ex-rower and former Olympic champion Dame Katherine Grainger, Blue Peter’s Lindsey Russell, Taekwondo athlete and Olympic gold medallist Jade Jones, and ex-sprinter and Olympic medallist Katherine Merry.
Clare says: “Comic Relief and I share the belief that sport has the power to bring about positive social change for individuals and communities and I’ve wanted to put on something like All-star Netball For Sport Relief for some time.
“I hope the match inspires more women across the country to get involved with sport while raising money for vital causes.”
■ All-star Netball for
Sport Relief is on Saturday, BBC2, at 7pm.