Red Nose Day 2021 highlights revealed

Tuesday 9th March 2021, 6:00pm

Comic Relief. Image shows from L to R: Paddy McGuinness, Alesha Dixon, Lenny Henry, Davina McCall, David Tennant. Copyright: BBC

Red Nose Day will be broadcast on BBC One on Friday 19th March from 7pm. Hosted by Alesha Dixon, David Tennant, Davina McCall, Paddy McGuinness and, as always, Sir Lenny Henry, the producers promise "a very special night of comedy, entertainment, music and much more besides."

The BBC says: "The Red Nose Day night of TV will feature hilarious sketches, live performances and one-off comedy specials, while showcasing the incredible impact that donations have in the UK and across the world."

Producers have revealed some of the highlights set to be broadcast on the night:

Vicar Of Dibley

Comic Relief. Geraldine Granger (Dawn French). Copyright: BBC

Dawn French returns as Geraldine Granger. In this special message, she's taking on this year's fundraising challenge set by the villagers, to lip sync to her favourite song of last year, Juice by Lizzo. Geraldine is also joined by a very special guest, Reverend Kate Bottley.

James Bond and Catherine Tate's Nan

Comic Relief. Image shows from L to R: Nan (Catherine Tate), James Bond (Daniel Craig). Copyright: BBC

In this exclusive sketch, Britain's best loved OAP Nan has spurned retirement and taken up a part time job as a cleaner. Whilst cleaning the office of the head of the Secret Intelligence Service - aka 'M', she finds herself face to face with 007 as he suddenly appears on screen for his security briefing.

The world's most famous spy is quickly caught up in a line of questioning he has never experienced before - but will the foul mouth senior citizen leave James Bond shaken and stirred?

Catherine Tate says: "Nan had a right old time meeting Bond. What a smashing fella! As ever, it was great fun filming this Comic Relief sketch, huge thanks to Daniel and all the Bond team for being such great sports. I hope it raises lots of money on the night."

2020: The Movie

Comic Relief. Woman Who Cuts Hair (Anna Friel). Copyright: BBC

The BBC teases: "After a year like no other, prepare for the biggest blockbuster movie NEVER made (yet) with 2020: The Movie. Part biopic, part disaster film, this new release turns movie stars into unlikely everyday British heroes. Starring Keira Knightley, Michael Sheen and KSI among many other special guests, prepare to see your favourite celebrities in the most unlikely roles!"

Jack Whitehall's Zoom Meeting

Comic Relief. Jack Whitehall. Copyright: BBC

Jack Whitehall tries to host a Comic Relief Zoom meeting with some of his celebrity friends... but realises it's harder to do than he thought! This star-studded sketch features special guests such as Guz Khan, Olivia Colman and Anya Taylor-Joy. The producers joke that it proves "even A-list stars can go straight to video (conference)."

All By Myself the Music Video

Comic Relief. Mel Giedroyc. Copyright: BBC

Mel Giedroyc guest stars as Bridget Jones in this parody of the famous opening scene of Bridget Jones's Diary, singing All By Myself. Mel is joined in the video by a host of famous faces who are... yes you guessed it, are all singing by themselves!

Staged

Comic Relief. Image shows from L to R: David Tennant, Lenny Henry, Michael Sheen. Copyright: BBC

In a bespoke sketch from the cast of the hit series Staged, David Tennant and Michael Sheen give us "a hysterical historical take on their lockdown series", with a guest appearance from Sir Lenny Henry.

Tim Vine's Joke In A Box

Comic Relief. Tim Vine. Copyright: BBC

Tim Vine is on a mission: to reward the men and women of the UK's military forces by spreading a smile! Concealed within a funfair-style fortune telling machine, Tim will be poised and ready to surprise the unsuspecting servicemen and women who've spent some of the last 12 months assisting frontline medical staff with Covid testing and vaccine deliveries.

Normal People vs Fleabag

Comic Relief. The Priest (Andrew Scott). Copyright: BBC

"It's the mash-up you never knew you needed until now!" BBC Three's hugely successful and award-winning Normal People and Fleabag join forces to give us one hot priest and two lovestruck teens in a brilliantly funny and touching confession like no other.

Top Gear - Radio 1's Kids Ask Difficult Questions

Comic Relief. Paddy McGuinness. Copyright: BBC

Prepare for the 'very candid' interview where children ask the Top Gear presenters the most difficult questions they've EVER faced, hosted by Radio 1's Jordan North. It's time for Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris to step up and face a grilling from their smallest - but toughest - interviewers yet... a selection of cheeky children from around the UK!

Comic Relief Does Cinderella

Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime For Christmas. Copyright: Crook Productions

A broadcast of highlights of Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime For Christmas. In this all-star snippet, with Rege-Jean Page stepping aside from his Dukedom to star as Prince Charming, the worlds of theatre, film, comedy and music collide as Comic Relief re-lives the 'stay-at-home' adaptation of the classic festive pantomime.

Comic Opera

Comic Relief. Image shows from L to R: Charlotte Church, Jayde Adams, Andi Osho, Caroline Quentin, Jennifer Saunders, Alex Brooker, Freddie Di Tommaso. Copyright: BBC

Comic Relief and the English National Opera are pushing five comedians to their limits in a unique challenge - learning to be opera singers. Getting to grips with this highly skilled classical art form, they'll have just 24 hours to come together and perform live in front of the entire nation. The producers, who haven't yet named the comedians involved, say: "Thankfully they've got the support of a world-famous mentor, soprano Charlotte Church, and ENO's award-winning Chorus and Orchestra behind them."

Taking part are Jayde Adams, Andi Osho, Caroline Quentin, Jennifer Saunders and Alex Brooker.

Harry Styles' Treat People With Kindness challenge

Paying homage to the music video of Harry Styles' single Treat People With Kindness, featuring comedian Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Comic Relief will begin a bid to get the nation up and dancing for Red Nose Day 2021. Comic Relief is releasing bitesize dance tutorials in the lead up to the big night of TV in association with Morning Live for all people of all ages to get up and dance in their homes. A special selection of videos will be compiled and showcased on Comic Relief 2021's night of TV.

Back To The Future: The Musical

Marty, Doc and Jennifer from Back To The Future: The Musical step into the studio for a special performance in a bespoke sketch created by Bob Gale, one the creators of the Back To The Future film trilogy. Featuring a new song from the musical, Put Your Mind To It, and the return of the classic Power Of Love.


Also for Comic Relief, British artist, illustrator and author of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse, Charlie Mackesy has taken to his drawing board to create a beautiful illustration for Comic Relief.

There will also be appeal films broadcast throughout the night to encourage people to donate. They will highlight a range of issues, from homelessness, to mental health, to food poverty and to showing how Covid-19 is impacting the vital work of projects internationally. They include a number of films that have been co-produced with local filmmakers in Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and India.

Comic Relief. Lenny Henry. Copyright: BBC

The main programme will run from 7pm up to 10pm, when the Ten O'Clock News is broadcast. Whilst the news is broadcast, on BBC Two there'll be Later... With Jools Holland For Comic Relief in which the host chats to Sir Lenny Henry, and the show broadcasts musical moments from the fundraising show across the years.

Back on BBC One, after the Ten O'Clock News, starting at 10:45pm, Jason Manford and Amanda Holden host The Great Comic Relief Prizeathon. The hour-long show will feature special guests, comedy sketches, live music, and the chance for viewers to win a number of once-in-a-lifetime prizes.

In the run up to the night, BBC One will also broadcast a number of other themed programmes. There will be a special episode of Gordon Ramsay's Bank Balance on Saturday 13th March at 6pm in which the host is joined by fellow chef and friend Gino D'Acampo and his son, Luciano, as the father and son attempt to raise as much money as possible for Comic Relief.

Rob Brydon's Now That's What I Call Comic Relief, on Thursday 18th March at 10pm, is a one-off special in which the Gavin & Stacey star presents classic clips from previous Comic Relief broadcasts.

Comic Relief. Copyright: BBC

The Ready Steady Cook Red Nose Day Special - featuring Stephen Mangan and Robert Rinder - will be broadcast on Wednesday 17th March at 7:30pm.

Billy Monger's Big Red Nose Day Challenge - Thursday 18th March at 9pm - follows professional racing driver and double leg amputee Billy Monger as he takes on an extraordinary triathlon-inspired challenge, which has seen him walk, cycle and kayak 140-miles.

The One Show, Saturday Kitchen and Blue Peter will also broadcast Comic Relief segments in the week running up to the main Red Nose Day programming.


To find out all the ways you can donate to Comic Relief or raise money for the cause visit comicrelief.com

Share this page