Secret Policeman's Ball Makes A Splash Across The Atlantic

The Secret Policeman's Ball is now as much an important date on the comedy calendar as it is a world renowned fundraising event, and never was that more apparent than at the latest edition of the event which, for the first time in its history, was held away from the UK at New York's Radio City Music Hall, reports the BBC.

The Secret Policeman's Ball raises awareness and money for Amnesty International; the first event was held under a different name in 1976, being known as A Poke In The Eye and being put together by members of the Monty Python team, before changing to it's current moniker in 1979. Stopping in 1981 it returned between 1987 and 1989 and then again between 1991 and 2001 - albeit again with a different name. It's been called The Secret Policeman's Ball since its last resurrection in 2006, the last event before the weekend being held in 2008.

Guests who performed at the show this year included some of the biggest names in both UK and US comedy including Russell Brand, Eddie Izzard, David Walliams, 'The Daily Show's' Jon Stewart and Ben Stiller. Away from the comedy, musical guests including Mumford & Sons, whilst actors Liam Neeson and Tim Roth also made appearances. Three Python legends too, Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Terry Jones transmitted video messages to the event too.