David Walliams to guest edit The Independent

Actor and comedian David Walliams will be editing The Independent and sister paper i in aid of Sport Relief (Rex Features)

Next week, in aid of Sport Relief, David Walliams, the comedian, actor, author and long-distance swimmer, will take on the role of guest editor for a special edition of The Independent and its sister paper, i, to be published on Friday 23 March.

Walliams, a long-time supporter of the charity, describes himself as "thrilled" at the challenge and says: "I can't wait to sit in the editor's chair." His plans for the issue are thought to involve a range of celebrities and sports stars, including Usain Bolt, Eddie Izzard, Thierry Henry, Bill Gates, Richard Curtis, Helen Skelton, Alan Carr, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Dermot O'Leary.