The programme was launched in 2003 to help raise money for the charities supported by Comic Relief, with the final of the show occurring on Red Nose Day.

In the results show, the students are told who is safe from the sing-off for that day and the remaining three have to perform their song again.

The celebrities were (in order of elimination): Most of the original Fame Academy teachers were back, including Richard Park, Carrie Grant, and Kevin Adams.

The production and broadcasting for the live shows took place at a new location on the south bank of the River Thames, the former Lambeth College site between Tower Bridge and London City Hall and was originally home to St Olave's Grammar School between 1855 and 1967.

Singing coaches Carrie and David Grant were no longer on the judging panel, but were present during the live shows and were invited to give their views when necessary.

The five remaining students were given a masterclass courtesy of McFly, who released "All About You" as Comic Relief's official single that year.

While it was assumed by some that the arguments were staged to build up interest for the show, this appeared to be disproved when Richard Park was spotted making a rude hand gesture towards Patrick Kielty, as co-host Cat Deeley was attempting to introduce the next act.

During the Comic Relief show on 11 March (Red Nose Day), Edith Bowman was announced as the winner.

Regular host Patrick Kielty was joined by Claudia Winkleman who moved over from BBC Three, to replace Cat Deeley and preside over the live event from Fame Academy's new venue, the Debating Chamber in County Hall, London.

The viewers' vote left Angellica Bell, Miranda Hart and Rowland Rivron in the "bottom three".

Rowland, who showed off fake breasts during his performance of "Stand By Your Man," became the first evicted celebrity of the series.

Colin Murray, the only celebrity to vote for Rowland, said that the Academy needed more men in it, otherwise "everyone would be talking about Sex and the City all the time."