Rugby star Ben Cohen due to make an appearance at Student Pride 2013 in Brighton

Final preparations are taking place in Brighton for this year’s National Student Pride and rugby icon Ben Cohen is just one of several celebrities due to make an appearance at the weekend event.

Taking place on Friday 1 – Sunday 3 March, National Student Pride will feature live music, club nights, a question time panel discussion and a debate on homophobia in sport.

A number of celebrity names have been confirmed to appear as panelists for the debates, including Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou, Dragon’s Den and BBC Radio 4 presenter Evan Davies, Channel 4 News Culture Editor Matthew Cain and former England Rugby Union player Ben Cohen.

Earlier this week, Cohen gave a speech at ParliOut, the Houses of Parliament’s gay staff network, where he said more needed to be done to combat homophobia in sport.

He also told PinkNews.co.uk that the continuous media debate surrounding the absence of an openly gay professional footballer in the UK can amount to a “witch hunt”.

“I think there is a bit of a witch hunt to find a professional footballer,” he said to PinkNews.co.uk. “There’s already a gay cricketer, a gay rugby player and that was fine but it’s a gay footballer that people want, someone in the premier league. People will question whether they are high profile enough.”

Last year over 1,500 students attended National Student Pride, and this year organisers are expecting an even bigger number.

Recently Sir Elton John and David Furnish were announced as ambassadors for National Student Pride.

X Factor 2012 star Lucy Spraggan will also be performing at the event.