Mr Bean to return for Comic Relief 2015

Tuesday 20th January 2015, 11:21am

Mr. Bean. Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

The iconic British comedy character Mr Bean is to return to TV screens as part of Red Nose Day 2015.

Rowan Atkinson is set to reprise his famous character for a sketch for the Comic Relief charity. The scenes were reportedly filmed last week.

A BBC spokesperson told Chortle: "I can confirm there is a Mr Bean sketch for Red Nose Day on Friday March 13."

Mr Bean was first shown on ITV 25 years ago this month. The TV series, which is one of the world's most watched comedies due in part to the fact there's no dialogue involved, ended in 1995. However, the character has since popped up in a variety of mediums, including two films.

Atkinson has also appeared as Bean in the London Olympics opening ceremony in 2012. His sketch, involving the character playing the piano with the London Symphony Orchestra, was estimated to have been watched by 900 million TV viewers.

Mr Bean most recently cropped up last year, in an advert for the chocolate snack brand Snickers.

Atkinson is a long-time supporter of Comic Relief, the charity which was co-founded by Richard Curtis, the writer with whom he has worked on projects including Mr Bean and Blackadder. They created a Mr Bean sketch for Comic Relief 2007 (below), whilst more recently in Atkinson appeared as part of the 2013 TV telethon as the Archbishop of Canterbury. The latter sketch attracted complaints, mainly due to the language used.

Mr Bean is not the only iconic Richard Curtis character that will be involved in this year's Red Nose Day television offering. As reported earlier this month, Dawn French is to reprise her role as The Vicar Of Dibley for a new sketch which will see Geraldine Granger, following the recent Church Of England rule changes, attempt to become a bishop.

Red Nose Day will be screened on BBC One on Friday 13th March. More details about the night's comedy highlights are expected to be revealed nearer the time.

Meanwhile, Mr Bean: The Animated Series is due to return to CITV in the next few months.

Below is the 2007 Comic Relief sketch in which Mr Bean attends a wedding:

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