He is one of the biggest scientists of our generation, and after 30 years with the same voice, Professor Stephen Hawking fancies a change. The 75-year-old has taken centre stage in a hilarious Comic Relief video, which shows some of the world's biggest names compete for the chance to become the new voice of science. The parody sees A-Listers, including Liam Neeson, Rebel Wilson, Anna Kendrick, Stephen Fry, Eddie Redmayne and many more stars, all lining up to audition for the role of a lifetime. Professor Hawking said: "I felt it was time for a voice upgrade so I asked Comic Relief to help me out - I probably shouldn't have bothered, as these celebrities are a right bunch of jokers. I'm pretty happy with my new voice though, I think it'll give my lectures a bit more oomph."
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In a bid to win him over, Taken actor Liam - who is also starring in the Love Actually sequel for Red Nose Day - tells him: "Stephen, it's me. Surely it has to be me. Listen to my voice - it's deep, it's sexy, it's got a tinge of physics." Eddie - who played the renowned scientist in The Theory of Everything - revealed he was a little bit annoyed that he even had to audition. "So what is it, like a sequel? If they want me to go through that again, they're going to have to pay me a shedload of cash."
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His co-star Felicity Jones chimed in: "Star Wars Stephen, it doesn't get more physicsy [sic] than that. And I bet I'm the only one from that franchise offering to work for free… Honestly, I loved being in that film about you. I know Eddie did a really good job but I could have played you so much better. He didn't even like space." Other celebrities who auditioned include Kylie Minogue, Simon Cowell, Gordon Ramsay, Geri Horner and musical legend Andrew Lloyd Webber. Comic Relief returns to BBC One tonight at 7pm.
