Comic Joe Lycett stands up to cancer as Nick Knowles

He joins stars of television, radio and sport who have channelled their favourite trailblazers to launch this year's Stand Up To Cancer.

The entertainer, from Hall Green, transformed into the DIY SOS presenter to help highlight the need to support life-saving research.

To mark the return of the campaign, by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, Joe is calling on people in the West Midlands to get involved in Stand Up To Cancer's Fortnight of Fundraising which runs between October 11 and 25.

He said: "We could all learn something from Nick. He’s relentless in trying to improve people’s lives and doesn’t care how he looks doing it.

"By dressing up in a silly costume and raising funds to beat cancer at its own game, I like to think I’m doing him proud.

“I hope people will join me in finding creative ways to conjure up crucial cash for Stand Up To Cancer. Think what would Nick Knowles do?"

Joe added: "Cancer affects everyone. The older you get the more you find it goes on around you. It’s an unforgiving disease, it’s indiscriminate.

"The strides that have been made in research are incredible. It gives you hope for people. It’s going in the right direction, but we obviously need to invest more money so hopefully one day no one has to go through the horror of the disease.

“In the West Midlands, four people are diagnosed with cancer every hour, which really brings home how important Stand Up To Cancer is to help accelerate new tests and treatments to save more lives.”