Meera Syal backs the Evening Standard's Comic Relief campaign: A wig’s just the ticket to cheer up your commute

 
Nose for a good cause: Meera Syal (Picture: Alex Lentati)
The Weekender

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Meera Syal today urged Londoners to “bring a little joy” to their morning commute by joining in with the Standard’s campaign for Red Nose Day tomorrow and putting on a wig.

The star of The Kumars at No. 42 and Goodness Gracious Me called on commuters to do something funny with their hair. Wearing a red wig for our cause, Syal, 53, said: “I would call on Londoners to get involved in the Standard’s campaign as - other than being for an excellent cause - it could be the perfect opportunity to transform yourself.

Funny for money: Sarah Solemani and Kerry Howard do the Comic Relief hair do (Picture: Alex Lentati)

“Also, London commuters are known for not talking to anyone, not giving anyone eye contact. Maybe if everyone was wearing wigs it would bring a little joy into the morning.” Fellow comedians Mark Heap, Sarah Solemani and Kerry Howard joined her in making a final call for Londoners to do something funny with their hair.

Green Wing actor Heap, 57, said: “Londoners should get involved. But please try not to do anything unhygienic or antisocial to upset other people on the Tube. Nothing too wiffy - like smelly hairspray. Or nothing that can drip on to other people.”

Him & Her stars Sarah Solemani and Kerry Howard, both 32, urged Londoners to “go for it” . Solemani added: “Never underestimate the power of big hair. Channel your inner Dynasty and backcomb, backcomb, backcomb. Go for big hair to raise big money.”

Funnyman: Mark Heap (Picture: Alex Lentati)

This year, the Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund has joined forces with Comic Relief to raise money for Londoners in poverty. It is the fourth time the Dispossessed Fund has been a chosen beneficiary of Comic Relief and partner charity Sport Relief, resulting in injections of £3 million to our fund. The money has funded 203 grassroots projects tackling social exclusion. Comic Relief has pledged another substantial donation to the fund this year.

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