Countdown beauty strips off for Comic Relief (From Echo)

Countdown beauty strips off for Comic Relief

7:00am Friday 15th February 2013 in Southend By David Trayner

Rachel Riley, Natasha Hamilton, Kelsey Beth Crossley, Cherie Lunghi, Kerry Katona, Zoe Salmon, Liz McClarnon and Nancy Dell Olio strip off to promote Emma Bridgewater homeware being sold to raise money for Comic Relief

COUNTDOWN beauty Rachel Riley stripped off with fellow celebrities for a Calendar Girls-style photo shoot in aid of Comic Relief.

The 27-year-old maths wiz from Thorpe Bay posed with just an apron and a piece of bunting, produced by designer Emma Bridgewater in aid of the charity, to cover her modesty.

Former Atomic Kittens Liz McClarnon, Kerry Katona and Natasha Hamilton, actresses Cherie Lunghi and Kelsey Beth Crossley and Strictly Come Dancing star Nancy Dell’Olio also starred in the shoot to promote the products.

The “tea party with a twist” shoot was inspired by the now iconic image from the 2003 comedy film Calendar Girls, in which Women’s Institute members posed naked with household objects covering their private parts to raise money for Leukaemia Research.

Rachel, who went to Southend High School for Girls, said: "I really enjoyed taking part in this shoot as I’m a long term supporter of Comic Relief.

“Red Nose Day is all about doing something funny for money. By having fun in the kitchen, I've hopefully raised a few smiles, and reminded people that buying an apron or a mug and having fun in the kitchen is one of the simplest ways to donate”.