Throng

Comedians Frank Skinner and Lee Mack meet at the Reform Club in London to kick off the first leg of the Around The World In 80 Days challenge which will see them travel across Europe.

In just eight days they need to be at the border between Turkey and Iraq to hand over the baton to Apprentice stars Nick Hewer and Saira Khan. This is the ultimate relay race, against the clock and all in aid of Children in Need.

In preparation for the challenge Frank wisely asks Michael Palin – the original voyager – for some advice. Advice he kindly hand writes in the opening pages of the Around The World In 80 Days journal, which the travellers will keep with them in their carpet bag.

Leg two of the Around The World In 80 Days challenge is under way and Apprentice stars Nick Hewer and Saira Khan are already up against it.

Funny men Frank Skinner and Lee Mack didn't make it to the border between Turkey and Iraq to meet them as arranged so the leg two celebrities had to travel further out to Cappadocia to collect the all-important baton.

In just 14 days they have to be in Kazakhstan, over three thousand miles away through war-torn Iraq and volatile Iran, to hand over to Countryfile presenters Julia Bradbury and Matt Baker.

Six pairs of celebrities race against the clock in an ambitious global relay, re-enacting the epic odysseys of Phileas Fogg and Michael Palin for a 21st Century audience.

Around The World In 80 Days is a new six-part series narrated by multi-award-winning comic Frank Skinner, who also takes the first leg of the journey with fellow comedian Lee Mack.

It will follow the celebrities as they circumnavigate the globe in 80 days to raise money for this year's BBC Children in Need Appeal. All money raised by the programme will go towards helping disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.