Comedian Matt Lucas, who played Nardole alongside Peter Capaldi’s Doctor, has joined in the impressive efforts to raise funds for good causes in the worldwide struggle against coronavirus by releasing charity song Thank You Baked Potato.

The single, which has made the top 40 in the UK weekly download charts, will benefit the FeedNHS campaign which provides meals to NHS staff. Food will be supplied from cafes and restaurants forced to close due to the pandemic. Actors Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory have also been involved in the campaign.

The song is a short ditty at just over a minute and a half’s duration and is a reworking of one he first sang on off the wall BBC comedy panel show Shooting Stars 20 years ago. The new version encourages people to follow government guidance on hand washing and social distancing to stop the spread of the virus.

Lucas, the new host of hit Channel 4 show The Great British Bake Off, is self-isolating due to his asthma and was concerned by images of large numbers of people continuing to socialise. He says:

“I was just trying to think of a way of helping to spread the message rather than the virus, and I thought, if I can connect with kids, then maybe the kids can tell their parents.

“I was sat at my piano and I just remembered the baked potato song.”

A sing-along version with on-screen lyrics is available so those stuck at home can record a duet with Lucas.