Russell Kane, Angela Barnes and Jon Culshaw are to take part in a special charity episode of University Challenge.

Teams from the BBC and ITV will go face-to-face for Children in Need  – with Kirsty Wark taking over the questions Jeremy Paxman for the one-off.

Mock the Week  comedian Barnes and Dead Ringers star Culshaw will be on the BBC team, alongside Radio 4’s Mishal Husain and captain Rick Edwards.

Kane represents ITV alongside Dr Ranj Singh,  Loose Women’s Denise Welch and broadcaster Kaye Adams.

Edwards said: ‘I’ve subjected myself to a University Challenge appearance before and been humiliated, not to mention patronised by Paxman, but I am a very firm believer in facing your fears. Obviously I’m relieved that Kirsty was in the chair this time because she was a bit gentler.’

And Adams said the show was ‘surreal but a good laugh. Obviously we all know it’s for a brilliant cause, but I would be lying if I said that reined in anyone’s competitive spirit'.

The show will air on BBC Two on Thursday November 18 at 10pm.

Last year, Dara O Briain, Iain Stirling, Joel Dommett, Steve Pemberton and Dane Baptiste all took part in a similar clash of the broadcasters for Children In Need along with broadcaster Anita Rani, newsreader Charlene White and Cold Feet actress Fay Ripley.

Viewers can make donations at bbc.co.uk/pudsey.