Comic Relief will no longer send British stars to Africa for fundraising films

Comic Relief says that they will not send celebrities to Africa amid "white saviours" criticism.

The British charity will also stop showing images of starved and ill African people during its fundraising appeals.

Instead, new approaches of the charity's films will include projects shot and created by African "grassroots" film-makers, previews of which will be available today.

It is hoped that this move will increase awareness of broader issues in Africa, such as mental health and climate change and that it will encourage diversity and inclusiveness within the production process.

The co-founder of Comic Relief, Sir Lenny Henry, said: "African people don't want us to tell their stories for them. What they need is more agency, a platform and partnership."

He added: "Investing in local talent across Africa to tell stories from their communities is great and a much-needed step forward, but as always there is more that can be done. The energy and passion for change and new perspectives is there in bucket loads."

The "white saviours" criticism came after Stacey Dooley's controversial visit to a Ugandan neonatal clinic last year on behalf of Comic Relief.

David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham, criticised Dooley's film perpetuating a "distorted image of Africa which perpetuates an old idea from the colonial era".

He added: "Comic Relief has a huge platform and privilege and it is the first and major way children learn about Africa. If they only show Africans as helpless victims to be pitied, children miss the broader picture of huge progress in Africa."

Stacey Dooley responded to Mr Lammy's comments on social media.