The BBC have launched this year’s Comic Relief appeal, while Lenny Henry has also confirmed that he will step down as host.
Comic Relief launched in 1985 with a telethon that has since become embedded in British culture. Known as Red Nose Day, on account of the red noses sold as part of the appeal, over the years this has led to many classic comic moments, from The Young Ones singing Livin’ Doll with Cliff Richard, to Johnny Depp and Sting appearing in The Vicar Of Dibley, to Billy Connolly running naked through Trafalgar Square and Mr Bean infiltrating both Blind Date and a Torvill and Dean dance routine.
The BBC have launched this year’s appeal with a sketch featuring Alex Jones, Alison Hammond, Davina McCall, Gemma Collins, Dame Joan Collins, Jonathan Bailey, Nick Grimshaw, Rosie Jones and Simon Cowell, which you can see below:
Lenny Henry, who co-founded Comic Relief with Richard Curtis, has also revealed that he will be stepping down as host after this year’s telethon. Henry said of his decision that “When we first started Comic Relief back in 1985, I never dreamed we’d still be here today. I thought we’d probably do three shows and that would be it, but fast-forward nearly 40 years, and that enthusiasm and determination to step up and help others has never wavered. As Life President of Comic Relief, I’m excited to see some new and familiar faces come forward now to present the big night and lead us into the next chapter”.
A one-off live show has also been announced. Comic Relief – Live at The London Palladium will take place on Monday 26th February, featuring Aisling Bea, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Joel Dommett, Mawaan Rizwan, Rosie Jones and Sara Pascoe.
Official Comic Relief merchandise includes new-plant based red noses launched by Amazon, which include a QR code which takes you to the Red Nose Day Joke Generator. TK Maxx are once again stocking the official line of Red Nose Day t-shirts and mugs, which this year feature characters from Aardman Animation, including Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Morph and Feathers McGraw.
Red Nose Day will be Friday 15th March 2024. You can find out more and donate via the official Comic Relief website.
In the meantime, we’ll leave you with the following clip, presented without comment.
