JAMIE Cullum, KT Tunstall and Eliza Doolittle will all be performing in Oxford in aid of the city’s children’s respite hospice, the Oxford Mail can exclusively reveal.

For the past seven years, a comedy night, Childish Things, has been staged in aid of Helen and Douglas House, bringing in hundreds of thousands of pounds.

But for the first time this year, the organisers decided to host an extra night with a focus on music – and have managed to secure several big name acts to perform for free.

Lizzie Pickering, who organises the event with Kate Day, said: “We have had enormous help from Philip Selway, of Radiohead, and his manager who encouraged us to do a music night. We are very excited about it.”

Last year two comedy nights were held – the first time the show had run over two nights – and more than £90,000 was raised.

This year there will again be two comedy nights, on Tuesday, February 28 and Wednesday, February 29, preceded by the music evening on the Monday, all at the New Theatre in George Street.

Comedians confirmed to perform include Jimmy Carr and the Comedy Store Players on the Tuesday show, and Jo Caulfield and Issy Suttie on the Wednesday.

Marcel Lucont, Oxford acapella group Out of the Blue and Abingdon comic Matt Richardson will perform on both nights – and more names are still to be confirmed.

The music line up is completed by Beardyman, flamenco guitarist Rafael, Pete Lawrie, Oxford musician Theo Jackson and Douglas House guest Ally Craig, who has performed at every single show.

Nearly 1,200 tickets were sold for the first comedy night before a single name was announced, and the second night is about half full.

There are still lots of seats left for the new music night.

Jamie Cullum is connected to the hospice through his wife, Sophie Dahl.

Her grandfather Roald Dahl was a supporter of Helen and Douglas House – which celebrates 30 years in operation this year – from the very start.

Mrs Pickering said: “Some of our acts over the years have felt that with the line-ups we get, we should consider a bigger venue and we did look at the Royal Albert Hall and had meetings with them.

“It is tempting because of the fundraising aspect, but this is such a heart of Oxford event.”

Ticket prices are being restricted, with seats available from £25, to ensure local people are able to come along, support their local hospice and enjoy top class comedy and music.

Visit newtheatreoxford.org.uk to buy tickets, and see facebook.com/ChildishThingsShow, helenanddouglas.org.uk and the Oxford Mail for updates on the line-up.

The county’s scouts and guides will be taking to the stage tomorrow evening in an evening of fundraising entertainment.

The Evening with The Oxfordshire Gang Show raises money for the annual Gang Show itself plus a charity, this year the Oxfordshire Playbus which provides a sensory bus for disabled children and adults.

It will be taking place at Oxford Town Hall from 7pm.

Tickets are available on the door and cost £5.