French and Saunders 'hijack' Radio 2 for Comic Relief

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders were jointly awarded the BAFTA Fellowship in 2009

Comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are to take over the BBC Radio 2 airwaves for Comic Relief.

The double act will pop up throughout the day on 15 March alongside regular presenters, "generally causing chaos and confusion", according to the BBC.

Radio 2 and 6 Music controller Bob Shennan said their hijack of the network as "comedy controllers" might make it its "funniest day ever".

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the charity's Red Nose Day.

Other Comic Relief plans include a broadcast from the Give It Up For Comic Relief concert, the brainchild of Russell Brand, raising money for people in the UK affected by drug and alcohol addiction, on 6 March.

Meanwhile, Claudia Winkleman and Jeremy Vine will visit a project supported by Comic Relief to see how the money raised by Red Nose Day is used to transform lives in the UK.

As for sister digital station BBC 6 Music, comedian Kathy Burke and film-maker and actor Harry Shearer will curate shows in the run up to Red Nose Day.

Harry Shearer and Kathy Burke will present shows on BBC Radio 6 Music

Burke will host a one-off programme on 3 March in which she will dig out records from her collection. She said: "I'm chuffed to have a chance to play some records and tell a few rubbish jokes which I will nick from someone else."

A week later, 6 Music will welcome guest host Shearer, the co-creator of the satirical documentary This Is Spinal Tap and the voice behind Mr Burns, Smithers and Ned Flanders in The Simpsons.

Additionally on 6 Music, Legends of Comedy will be the theme for the week on the Breakfast show, hosted by Shaun Keaveny.

Michael Palin and Charlie Higson will be among his guests and, on Friday 15 March, he will be joined in the BBC Radio Theatre by a live audience, presenter and actor Adam Buxton and comedian Tim Vine.