Dawn French is to reprise her role as The Vicar Of Dibley for a sketch in Thursday's TV charity broadcast, The Big Night In.

The character will return to deliver "a message of hope" during the programme, which sees Comic Relief and Children In Need teaming up for the first time.

The BBC, which is broadcasting the show, explains: "The nation's favourite TV vicar, Geraldine Kennedy (née Granger), is back with a special sketch for The Big Night In. All over the country, people are self-isolating. Until recently the Vicar of Dibley was self-isolating in the confectionary aisle of her local supermarket, but she's now back in her vicarage, from where on April 23rd she will deliver a message of hope."

The Vicar Of Dibley was last seen on screen five years ago, in a 9 minute sketch for Comic Relief 2015 that saw Geraldine campaigning for the role of the next female Bishop.

Dawn French says: "I'm back in the dog collar, back in the vicarage, and back on your telly as part of The Big Night In. Be there, or go to hell. Literally. I have some sway...."

An exclusive first look at the new sketch will be shown on The One Show on Monday (20th April).

The Big Night In will broadcast between 7pm and 10pm on BBC One on Thursday 23rd April.

Matt Baker, Zoe Ball, Lenny Henry, Davina McCall and Paddy McGuinness will host the broadcast, which aims to "celebrate the acts of kindness, humour and the spirit of hope and resilience that is keeping the nation going during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic".

As recently revealed, Matt Lucas and David Walliams have filmed a new Little Britain sketch for the show.

Catherine Tate has also filmed a new sketch featuring her surly school-girl character Lauren.

Peter Kay will also take part in The Big Night In, his first TV appearance in more than two years. He'll reportedly be asking the public to help record a new version of (Is This The Way To) Amarillo by Tony Christie. The comedian first teamed up with Christie in 2005 to raise funds for Comic Relief, with their track selling more than 1 million copies - making it one of the best-selling singles of the decade.

Funds raised from The Big Night In will be split equally between BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief to provide essential support to local charities, projects and programmes across the UK to help those most in need. The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has announced that the UK Treasury would match pound for pound any contributions the public decide to donate during the show.

Lenny Henry says: "I've been part of the Comic Relief family for years, and at times like these it's so important we all come together to support one another, which is why we've joined forces with BBC Children in Need for The Big Night In. We want to shine a light on the amazing things communities are doing and keep you entertained whilst you can't leave your homes. Both charities will be supporting a huge number of smaller charities and projects that will be protecting the most vulnerable people in society, so it's going to be a brilliant night for a great cause."