James, Charlie, Noel through to Let's Dance final

James, Charlie, Noel through to Let's Dance final
James, Charlie, Noel through to Let's Dance final (Image credit: WHIZZ KID)

Comedian Charlie Baker, Emmerdale's James Thornton and funnyman Noel Fielding have been declared winners of the second round of Let's Dance For Comic Relief. Charlie and James - who performed a tap dance routine to the classic tune Putting On The Ritz - triumphed over such other performers as TV presenter Penny Smith, singer Lulu, comedienne Andi Osho and funnyman Jarred Christmas. Comedian Noel Fielding - who recreated Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights routine - also won himself a place in the final after he beat Lulu in the judges' vote. Afterwards the pair appeared shocked at their win. "I genuinely don't believe that," Charlie said, "thank you so much." They will now compete in the final in a fortnight's time against Katie Price and comedian Russell Kane who were the winners of last Saturday's show. Earlier in the show Charlie and James had won praise from the judging panel for their routine. "I love Charlie, I love Emmerdale, I love tap dancing. What more is there to say?"," panellist Lee Mack told the pair, while James Whitehall added, "you did really well, you looked like you were really enjoying it." Noel Fielding also won his fair share of compliments from the judges for his Kate Bush tribute. "I’ve watched this programme many many times, and a lot of comedians will come out here and they will play the opposite gender just to get cheap laughs," Lee Mack said. "But tonight, finally, this young lady come out here and was happy to be herself. And for that, she’s my winner so far." The other contenders in this week's contest included Penny Smith recreating Britney Spears's Toxic routine, Lulu performing to Soulja Boy's's Crank That, comedienne Andi Osho dressing up as Michael Jackson for her interpretation of Bad, and funnyman Jarred Christmas donning a pink leotard to perform to the Madonna hit Hung Up.

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Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.