Man locks himself in room with Rick Astley on repeat for charity

A choirmaster undergoing a 75-hour ordeal of being locked in a hotel room listening only to Rick Astley's hit Never Gonna Give You Up has already broken his £2,000 fundraising target.

Jack White (23) from Southampton, Hampshire, is not able to talk or hum for the duration of the challenge, which is being streamed live on YouTube.

Astley’s 1980s hit is due to play 2,500 times during the stunt.

Mr White has gained the support of Astley himself, who wrote on Facebook: "This is the definition of crazy!! Good luck Jack, all the best, Rick X."

Mr White is living on a diet of porridge, rice and water during the challenge, which began on Friday and ends on Monday, in aid of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

He wrote on his JustGiving page: “I’m going to be taking part in a sponsored silence, with a difference.

“Trapped in a hotel room for the weekend (75 hours in total), I won’t have access to any type of entertainment. No book, iPhone, TV or luxury food is allowed. There will also be an annoying song on repeat.

“For somebody with anxiety, OCD and claustrophobia this is a huge challenge for me and something that I’m really going to struggle with.”

He added: “I’m raising money for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), a charity that’s very close to my heart as you’ll see in my previous fundraising activities.

“My nephew was diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago and since then I’ve gained an enormous amount of admiration for the families around young people with diabetes.”

By Saturday morning, Mr White had already raised £2,040 following 150 pledges.

One donor wrote: “Don’t ever give it up.”

For details visit justgiving.com/JackInABox