Get ready to laugh for a good cause! Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day is happening this Friday, marking 40 years since the charity was co-founded by Richard Curtis and Sir Lenny Henry. Tune in for a hilarious evening of entertainment live from Media City UK in Salford on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7pm on Friday 21 March, as celebrities engage in comedy sketches, live performances, and more to support vital causes across the UK and around the globe.
What’s in store for the night? Here are all the details.
Presenters
Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Alison Hammond, Rylan Clark, and Alesha Dixon will be your charismatic hosts on BBC One from 7pm until 10pm, then Tom Allen and AJ Odudu will continue the fun on BBC Two after 10pm.
TV veteran Jonathan Ross has reminisced about his role in the inaugural Red Nose Day back in ’88: “I presented the first few years alongside Sir Lenny Henry and Griff Rhys Jones, and it was incredibly exciting to be involved,” he shared. Jonathan added, “Over the years, I’ve stayed on the periphery, stepping in whenever asked. When they invited me back, it felt like a great way to commemorate the very first show,” reports the Mirror.
Davina McCall wouldn’t miss hosting Red Nose Day for the world. She said, “I’ve done a lot of Red Nose Days, but every single time I host, it is the best night ever. It’s a feeling of everybody coming together for such a positive cause, but at the same time having such fun and a laugh. I love everybody that works at and for Comic Relief, but I also know that the audience comes with such goodwill and great energy. It’s just the best night ever. I really, really love it.”
While Joel and Alesha Dixon are no strangers to presenting the show, Alison Hammond is making her debut this year. She shared, “It was a no-brainer for me, and I feel over the moon that they said yes. I’ve watched the show every year and I love the concept, using comedy to raise money for charities. So it’s an absolute honour, and I feel like it’s been a long time coming so I’m thrilled!”
Sketches
Sketches on Comic Relief have become nothing short of iconic, with moments like the Mr Bean Blind Date with Cilla Black, Alan Partridge’s rendition of Wuthering Heights, and James Corden’s original Carpool Karaoke with George Michael sealing their place in British television history. Fans tune in for a delightful mix of star-studded reunions and team-ups that deliver laughs all evening long.
This year, viewers can look forward to a host of hilarious skits including Oasis: The Reunion: The Movie. This parody sees Inbetweeners stars James Buckley and Joe Thomas reunite to play Gallagher brothers Liam and Noel, charting their journey from Manchester lads to global rock superstars. They’re joined by a star-studded cast including Martin Lewis, Vernon Kay, Tasha Ghouri, Melvin Odoom and Roisin Conaty.
Another comedy crossover to watch out for is Not Going Beyond Paradise, where the worlds of Beyond Paradise and Not Going Out collide thanks to Sally Bretton appearing as both Lee’s wife Lucy in Not Going Out and Humphrey’s wife Martha in the detective series. Kris Marshall and Lee Mack also feature, along with Zahra Ahmadi and other familiar faces from both shows.
Asim Chaudhry’s People Just Do Nothing character Chabuddy G will join The Gladiators at Sheffield Arena, where he believes he’s about to become one of the mighty Gladiators, only to find out he’s actually a challenger who has to compete in a head-to-head duel with human powerhouse Bionic.
And it’s not just sports fans who are aiming for greatness. In Strictly Come DancingThe New Pro Dancers, Russell Kane and Rachel Parris play Johnny and Melissa, two newcomers joining the Strictly professional line up under the watchful eyes of Strictly hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
In a more serious turn, EastEnders will air a special five-minute episode focusing on Phil Mitchell’s mental health journey and the importance of seeking help. Steve McFadden, who plays Phil, has been at the heart of a storyline that saw his character reach a breaking point during the soap’s 40th anniversary when he tried to take his own life due to depression with symptoms of psychosis. While in the mental health unit, Phil befriends another patient, Andy (played by Jake Rory), who opens up about his experiences at a homeless youth hostel. The two soon discover they share more common ground than they initially thought.
Challenges
As for Red Nose Day Challenges, celebs are always up for a good cause. This year, Jamie Laing, Gethin Jones, Helen Skelton, and Billy Monger are stepping up to the plate.
Billy Monger, F1 presenter, took part in the demanding Ironman World Championship to raise funds for Comic Relief. His year-long training journey is documented in Billy Monger: The Race Is On For Comic Relief, which airs tonight (Wednesday 19 March) at 9pm on BBC One and will also be available on iPlayer.
Jamie Laing, the TV presenter, kicked off an ultra marathon 150-mile challenge on Monday. His goal? To run from the BBC offices in London to Salford in Manchester by Red Nose Day on Friday, completing five ultra marathons in total. By Wednesday, he had already raised a whopping £100,000 and was en route to Loughborough. On Thursday, he’ll be pounding the pavement through Kegworth, before finally finishing up in Salford on Friday.
Meanwhile, Morning Live presenters Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton are gearing up for their Wheely Big Challenge on Thursday. They’ll be hitting the roller disco for a full 24 hours, joined by other celebs during their challenge.