Simon Evans, Natalie Haynes, Paul Sinha and comedy club promoter Peter Grahame are to appear in the Professionals version of the show to be broadcast on April 1.
Grahame – who runs Downstairs at the King's Head in North London – put together the team after an on-air appeal for teams.
He said: ‘My wife, Sara, cajoled me into applying because I was always shouting at the TV during the show.
‘I rang a few comics to ascertain potential interest. Everyone returned the call within minutes - all keen to finally please their parents with a belated appearance on the perennial brand-leader for clever clogs.’
Test papers were sent to eight comics, and the final four selected –plus Dan Antopolski as a reserve. Stewart Lee and Nick Revell had to drop out because of touring commitments. ‘This was a blow,’ said Grahame, ‘as they are quite clever.’
He added: ‘I decided to use my real name, Peter Walsingham, partly in deference to pleasing my folks, but more importantly to gain an extra nanosecond to think if I pressed my buzzer.’
The show was recorded in Granada’s Manchester studios in December, where they were drawn against the Ministry Of Justice. That first-round clash will air on BBC Two at 8pm on April 1.
