COMEDIAN Jimmy Carr is headlining a fundraising evening in memory of his friend Mark Blanco (pictured), the actor who plunged to his death from a balcony during a party attended by druggie rocker Pete Doherty. The benefit evening at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre on Wednesday is a celebration of Mark’s life.

By Gemma Collins

COMEDIAN Jimmy Carr is headlining a fundraising evening in memory of his friend Mark Blanco (pictured), the actor who plunged to his death from a balcony during a party attended by druggie rocker Pete Doherty.

The benefit evening at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre in Euston has been organised on Wednesday (July 8) as a celebration of Mark’s life.

Mark died two years ago after falling from the balcony at Paul Roundhill’s flat at Whitechapel, in London’s East End.

His mother Sheila has relentlessly pursued a personal investigation since her son’s death and is using the funds raised from the evening to continue her fight to “secure justice” for 30-year-old Mark.

DEATH PLUNGE

Police were ordered to reopen their inquiries last year into Mark’s death, following recommendations from the Poplar coroner in East London who recorded an open verdict.

But detectives are not likely to reach a conclusion over how he fell, the East London Advertiser has learned.

Mark had been thrown out of the party just hours before he died in December, 2006, after a bust-up with Roundhill, rock star Doherty and minder Johnny Headlock’ Jeannevol.

Jimmy Carr who is topping Wednesday’s fundraiser met Mark while they were at Cambridge and met up again at the Edinburgh Festival.

Joining Jimmy in the line-up is actor Richard Freeman and Mark’s sister, the violinist Emma Blanco.

Tickets �25 (�20 concessions) bookable online here, or by phone: 020-7388 8822.