Amnesty to throw another benefit gig

Amnesty International is to stage another of its Secret Policeman's Ball comedy extravaganzas.

The gala night was revived two tears ago with a gig attended by 6,000 people at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which will again be the venue for this year’s performance.

The date of the show has not yet been announced, although it will be in the autumn, and Channel 4 have won the rights to broadcast the show.

Details of who is on the bill are also under wraps, but Channel 4 commissioning editor Andy Auerbac said: ‘This year there’s an unbelievable line-up of comic talent and it’s a fantastic honour for Channel 4 to be involved in such a prestigious comedy event.’

The line-up of the 2006 show included Al Murray, Chevy Chase, Dylan Moran, Eddie Izzard, Graham Norton, Omid Djalili, Russell Brand, Sarah Silverman and The Mighty Boosh.

Andy Hackman from Amnesty International said: ‘Amnesty is all about bringing people together to make a difference and The Secret Policeman's Ball has always been able to do that.’

The Secret Policeman’s ball has its origins in a benefit set up by John Cleese in 1976. The first show to use the name was in 1979, and featured a young Rowan Atkinson. Follow-ups were held in 1981 and 1987.

This year’s show will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which occurs in December. It will be produced for Amnesty by Suzi Aplin, the producer of Friday Night With Jonathan Ross.

Published: 11 Jul 2008