THE Stand Up to Cancer charity marathon focuses on a disease that must have impacted on most people.

“Pretty much everyone will be affected by this disease in their lifetime, and that’s the very simple reason why I’m honoured to be involved with this campaign,” says Alan Carr.

“Like so many people, I’ve seen exactly how destructive the big C is. I’ve lost two people already this year to cancer, and friend of mine who has been diagnosed with throat cancer is having her voice box removed next week, and won’t speak again. So we need to raise a lot of money.”

Along with Davina McCall and Christian Jessen, he’s hosting an evening of entertainment, fundraising and science inspired by a campaign created in the US four years ago.

Since then $260m has been pledged, 350 scientists have been funded across more than 80 institutions, with dozens of clinical trials under way.

The C4 show includes performances from Cheryl Cole and Leona Lewis, plus special editions of Chatty Man and The Million Pound Drop Live.

David Hasselhoff offers an insight into how the disease affects everyday life, while famous faces such as The Simpsons, Bradley Cooper, Kylie Minogue (herself a survivor), Tom Daley, Jimmy Carr and Anna Friel pop up to offer their support to the campaign.