Amnesty International today (28 April) launched an online sale of five exclusive, original, signed photographs of famous comedians on auction site eBay.

The photographs feature: Ricky Gervais; the Podcast team of Ricky Gervais, Karl Pilkington and Stephen Merchant; Eddie Izzard; Dave Gorman and Simon Pegg.

The photos have been taken by acclaimed portrait photographer Rich Hardcastle and are highly valued for their exclusive and collectable qualities.

Ricky Gervais said: “This is such an important cause so it's nice to be involved in a small way, even if it does mean imposing another image of my fat face on the world.”

Rich Hardcastle has exhibited his work around the world and has some of his photography in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery. He has focused on comedy figures for most of his distinguished career and has become ‘the comedians photographer’, renowned for his relaxed and quiet style that captures comics in an unposed way.

Ricky Gervais selected Rich Hardcastle to produce a behind-the-scenes photo journal for his latest series, Extras. Rich is also currently holding an exhibition entitled ‘Comedian’ at The Astor Bar & Grill in London featuring portraits of some of the most accomplished British comedy performers of the last 20 years.

All proceeds from the auction will go to Amnesty International UK in support of the organisation’s work to protect human rights. Amnesty has a long tradition of working with Britain’s best comic talent, including putting on the legendary Secret Policeman's Balls.

The auction will finish on Monday 8 May 2006.