Drag-On Den's star says “I'm out” for No Smoking Day

The 2010 No Smoking Day campaign kicks off tomorrow with Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne’s recreation of the classic Queen video ‘I want to break free.’

This video is available at (http://www.wequit.co.uk ) and is set to encourage smokers to pledge to break free of smoking for good.

Duncan Bannatyne dons a full drag outfit wearing pearl earrings, a grey wig and slippers, to play the ‘granny’ role made famous by bassist John Deacon in the original Queen video. He is joined by professional Freddie Mercury, Mark Sanders from Queen tribute act ‘Pure Magic’, who wears suspenders and high heels, whilst miming to the original track from 1984.

No Smoking Day 2010 takes place on Wednesday 10 March. In its 27th year, this annual campaign sees nearly one million smokers quit, each year.

However, for the first time, Smoking Day has launched a dedicated website to help smokers give up.

The website, www.wequit.co.uk, invites smokers to make their own pledge to quit, and allows them to invite their friends to join via Facebook and Twitter, so that together they can help to beat the cravings. The site also includes a video blog and first hand testimonials from ex smokers who have successfully broken the habit, along with tips and advice for first time quitters.

Duncan Bannatyne OBE, President of No Smoking Day, commented: “When I became involved in No Smoking Day I didn’t imagine I’d be dressing up in drag to promote the cause. However this year’s theme is ‘Break Free’ from the chains of smoking and we want more people than ever to make their own pledge, and join ex-smokers like myself in giving up for good. If this video encourages just one person to say ‘I want to break free’ from smoking, then I will be proud to have made it.”

For tips on how to record your own version of the track or to make your pledge go to www.wequit.co.uk