On Sunday 26 February, our 100 Hearts Charity Gala drew in 1,400 comedy fans and charity supporters for a night of first-class entertainment

Adelphi Theatre’s stage took a break from its nightly production of Kinky Boots and played host to a who’s who of comedy superstars, all of whom generously donated their time to help raise money to expand Royal Brompton’s Clinical Genetics and Genomics Laboratory.

Our host, Clive Anderson, warmed up the audience and ensured the evening ran smoothly by introducing each act. James Acaster kicked off the show, with hilarious stand up acts from Bridget Christie and Jo Brand to follow. Nish Kumar had the unenviable job of following a brilliant Rowan Atkinson and Angus Deayton sketch, but managed to rouse some of the biggest laughs of the evening. More fantastic sketches from Hugh Dennis & Steve Punt and Harry Enfield & Paul Whitehouse kept the audience in stitches along with a clever sketch by Radio Active, made up of Angus Deayton, Philip Pope and Helen Atkinson Wood. The Hee Bee Gee Bees followed with their hilarious high-pitched parody of the famous brothers, before an injured Michael McIntyre stole the show with his on-point observational comedy. Ventriloquist Nina Conti inviting up a hospital consultant was a particular highlight of the evening, while Rachel Parris, Melinda Hughes and Nick Mohammad delivered excellent musical comedy.

Thanks to our sponsors, Hat Trick Productions, Rockspring and Tudor Toone and to Phil McIntyre Productions, for their generous support. And a massive thank you to Rosie and Philip Pope for achieving such an outstanding event. At last count, the night had raised over £80,000.