For Sports Relief 2010 Jimmy played a role in the Million Pound Bike Ride (here) and following all of the events there was an invitation to 10 Downing Street (on March 16^th) for tea and a photo op.

Hosted by the then Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown (and wife Sarah) the invitees were:

• Helen Skelton
• Lawrence Dallaglio
• Christine Bleakley
• Fearne Cotton
• Jimmy Carr
• Miranda Hart

Apparently, the water skis were because Christine had water-skied across the English Channel.

Reading some stories I saw comments about why was / was not this or that person there…because. The PM has a busy diary and, when the slot was booked, someone would have phoned around and grabbed whoever was available. Apparently other people that completed challenges (Izzard for example) went on a different day.

As for the old argument of “why not ordinary people?” – because the photo agencies wouldn’t take pictures and, aside from their own friends and family, who else would be interested? The photographers need paying and while these 2010 photos show as £24 each – often pics at these events are more like £300+ each. The “papers” are not going to pay for photos of someone’s aunty.

It’s not ideal – but it’s just how the world works.

Getty Images have 11 pictures of the group outside Downing Street – here.

Another 26 from Getty, including some from the bike ride – here. There are some that say “Miranda and Jimmy” – both in lime green jackets. Not sure that’s him as that person is clean shaven (and Jimmy had 5 o’clock shadow) and the mouth shape looks different.

Alamy have 41 showing images showing arrivals and some more informal shots – here.

Video 2010 Arrival

This video clip of David Cameron in 2012 (talking tax) starts with footage of Jimmy walking to Number 10 for the event above.