A TV makeup artist and cancer sufferer is set to host a celebrity gala in a bid to raise £75,000 for the charity that has helped her since her diagnosis.

Joanne Morgan, 45, from Beaconsfield, was diagnosed with ocular melanoma – a rare form of eye cancer – in November 2017 following an eye examination.

Since then, the mother-of-three has been supported by OcuMel UK, a national charity run by eye cancer patients and their family members.

Mrs Morgan is now arranging the black tie event in London at the end of the month.

The gala will be hosted by BBC news presenter Sally Bundock and will feature appearances from celebrity pub landlord Al Murray, opera singer Natasha Marsh and celebrity band Mighty Quinn, which is fronted by Sinead Quinn of BBC’s Fame Academy.

This all-star band also features Paul Stewart and Ciaran Jeremiah of The Feeling, Jack Stevens (Mick Hucknall), Charlie Willcocks (Sam Sparro) and Matt Park (The Noisettes).

Penn and Teller’s magician Josh King, will entertain the audience and Van Morrison keyboard player Paul Moran will be performing in reception.

Mrs Morgan appeared on Good Morning Britain with Piers Morgan to talk about her ordeal earlier in the year and the presenter is also supporting the gala via a video wall on the night and by promoting it on his Twitter account.

Mrs Morgan said: “Throughout my eight surgeries, multiple scans and tests since my diagnoses OcuMel UK has supported me every step of the way.

“The guidance and support the charity provides to patients and their families and signposting them to the most appropriate treatments available is vital.

“I have taken it upon myself to organise this fantastic event, pulling in favours from my contacts from over 30 years in the media industry to make this a night to remember, but most importantly to raise awareness and funding for OcuMel UK.

“The funds raised will go toward funding two much needed specialist nurses which will be supporting ocular melanoma patients within various healthcare settings and in the community.

“As well as all of the celebrity appearances there will be a live auction on the night with some amazing prizes.

“We encourage as many people as possible to join us at this amazing event and to support such an important cause.”

The charity’s national director Jo Gumbs, said: “We applaud Joanne in organising this amazing event for us.

“Appointing the two specialist nurses will be a major development for us as an organisation and will allow us to provide a higher level and wider range of support to our patients. We hope people will support this event in any way they can.”

Tickets are available at www.ocumelgala.eventbrite.co.uk.