If this sneak preview is anything to go by, Jo Brand’s performance for Comic Relief: Let’s Dance is going to be absolutely blimming hilarious. Jo has stepped into her vintage Britney costume for the cover of the new issue of Radio Times – and it sounds like she’s been enjoying getting to grips with being Britney. “I had what you would call an initial rehearsal this morning,” she says. “So I’ve just learnt about 20 steps. I think the choreographer wanted to make me do them to see whether I was a) too wooden, or b) like a shed on legs, to manage it. Plus, I think they wanted to see whether I could remember all the steps – I’ve got a terrible memory.” Jo has also revealed that she was given the choice of being Britney, Kylie or Beyonce for the show, which will see a host of stars trying their best to master iconic dance routines, but plumped for Britters straight away. “Personally I think Britney’s got more spark than the other two – with apologies to Kylie and Beyonce fans, who will now want to kill me,” she says. “There’s just something about Britney. To me she’s got a slight lack of control about her, shall we say, which I feel is really interesting.” We know what you mean, Jo, we know what you mean. The 50-something comedienne also says she thinks the Baby One More Time schoolgirl look was definitely more suitable for her than that red Oops! I Did It Again catsuit. “That would have been too Michelin Man for words,” she jokes. The show starts this Saturday on BBC1 before the grand finale on Red Nose Day, 14 March. We’ll definitely be tuning in – and doing an even more shambolic job than Jo in the comfort and privacy of our living room…
Brand does Britney!