Children's TV favourite Richard McCourt – one half of Dick and Dom – swapped slapstick for solitary when he was locked up in Shepton Mallet Prison for charity.

McCourt, along with former BBC journalist Clinton Rogers, was "jailed" on Wednesday 21 May as part of a special Dementia Action Week fundraiser organised by Reminiscence Learning.

The pair – both ambassadors for the charity – were among a group of willing 'inmates' who took part in the one-day Jailbreak challenge inside the 400-year-old prison, which closed in 2013 and now serves as a tourist attraction.

After 'confessing' their crimes, participants donned bright orange jumpsuits and were marched to B Wing where they experienced time in solitary confinement. They were then put through their paces in the prison yard before facing "The Cell" – an immersive escape room challenge designed to test their puzzle-solving skills and teamwork under pressure.

To earn their freedom, participants had to raise bail by calling in favours and donations from friends and family. Together, they brought in an impressive £13,530 for Reminiscence Learning and its intergenerational dementia education scheme, The Archie Project.

The charity works with schools, care homes and communities to raise awareness and understanding of dementia, helping break down stigma and build supportive networks for those affected.

And yes – everyone did make it out in the end. The secret password for release? "Bogies!"

The event also marked a special milestone – the 400th anniversary of Shepton Mallet Prison, which has become a popular location for ghost hunts, historical tours and immersive events.

Donations are still open. To support Reminiscence Learning's work, head to their website and hit the donate button.