The crew of 24 is raising money for the Donna Louise Trust, a hospice in Stoke-On-Trent.
Other oarsmen include actor and comedian Hugh Dennis and TV presenter Nick Hancock.
It will take about 15 hours to row down the Thames and out into the Wash, before attempting the channel crossing.
The 450 nautical mile challenge has been branded the "Everest of open-water rowing", and fewer than 100 people have completed the route.
The two Cornish Gigs are expected to arrive in Paris on Monday 1 June.
BBC News
