Stephen Merchant to present celebrity fundraising edition of The Crystal Maze

Comedian Stephen Merchant has been announced as the host of a charity celebrity version of game show The Crystal Maze.

Merchant, who gained fame for co-writing TV hits such as The Office, will guide famous faces around the maze's well-known zones as part of Channel 4's fundraising evening Stand Up To Cancer.

It was previously reported that David Tennant was the favourite to front the special.

Participants have yet to be announced, but filming will take place at The Crystal Maze Live Experience in London, a tourist attraction based on the programme that opened in March.

"As a huge fan of the original series, I'm honoured to support Stand Up To Cancer by hosting this one-off edition of The Crystal Maze," Merchant said.

"Richard O'Brien and Ed Tudor-Pole leave big shoes to fill, but I have size 14 feet, so I'll do my best."

Channel 4's head of TV events Ed Harvard added: "We wanted something extra special for the Stand Up To Cancer campaign this year, so we're delighted that Crystal Maze will be returning for a celebrity one-off.

"And in Stephen Merchant we have the perfect host - he is our dream booking for this show."

The Crystal Maze gained a cult following from 1990 to 1995, when it ran for six series.

It helped make household names of presenters Richard O'Brien and Edward Tudor-Pole.

Stand Up To Cancer is a joint fundraising initiative between Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK.

It has taken over the broadcaster's schedule for one evening every year since it was launched in 2012. This year, it takes place on Friday October 21.