Seb Coe, Gary Lineker and Dickie Davies get sporting to turn the tables for charity

Cancer Research UK’s inaugural Sporting Turn the Tables event kicks off on Thursday 24 April with a host of stars from the world of sport and sports journalism.

Based on Turn the Tables, the charity’s legendary and hugely successful political event, Sporting Turn the Tables, held in association with Deloitte, will see two of the UK’s favourite sports journalists in the hotseat as the tables are turned on them by a pair of stellar sportsmen.

At the new event, which is taking place at the Café Royal, London, two-time gold medalist and Olympic Czar, Lord Coe, will be getting competitive with The Sunday Times’s Hugh McIlvanney, one of the most respected voices in sports journalism. Gary Lineker, in his current role as sports presenter, will be tackled by former England rugby player, Gareth Chilcott. The event will be chaired by former World of Sport presenter and British icon Dickie Davies, with the Today programme’s sports anchorman, Garry Richardson, acting as umpire.

Lord Coe said: “As an athlete, a politician, and the Chair of London 2012, on many occasions I’ve been at the mercy of sharp tongued, quick witted journalists. I’m very much looking forward to being able to return the compliment.”

Cancer Research UK National Events Committee Chairman, Polly Wood, said:

“The principle of turning the tables on journalists by those normally their helpless victims appeals to fair minded people of every discipline. As a spectator sport the event has proved an effective fund raiser and valuable contributor of social justice to politicians in London and Edinburgh. It seemed both discriminatory and unfair that such a service not be available to the sporting world. With such a prestigious cast, this should be the perfect opportunity to prove that sportsmen, sports journalists and fans can be savage, funny and generous too.

“I’m delighted to be launching the first Sporting Turn the Tables with such a fantastic line up. I’m sure it will be a very entertaining event, and that all of our participants will prove themselves truly good sports. As well as providing a valuable service to sportsmen, Sporting Turn the Tables will raise vital funds to help Cancer Research UK beat cancer. We’re hoping this first event will raise over £40,000 for the charity’s life-saving work.”

The event will mark the inauguration of Deloitte’s two-year corporate partnership with Cancer Research UK.

Sporting Turn the Tables takes place from 12.30pm until 2.30pm on 24 April. Tables of ten cost £1,800. Guests will also have the option to pose a question to the panel for an additional donation of £50. For tickets call 020 7438 5434.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact the Cancer Research UK press office on 020 7061 8132 or, out-of-hours, the duty press officer on 07050 264 059.

About Cancer Research UK

• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK’s vision is to beat cancer.
• Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer.
• Cancer Research UK ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients.
• Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is being made and the choices each person can make.
• Cancer Research UK works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer.
• For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7009 8820 or visit our homepage.