Comic Relief 2022 highlights to include return of Rock Profile

Tuesday 8th March 2022, 12:01am

Comic Relief. Image shows from L to R: Matt Lucas, David Walliams

The BBC has unveiled its plans for this year's Red Nose Day fundraising broadcast. Following the recent announcement that Comic Relief will now be every year, the telethon is set to return on 18th March.

The BBC says: "Red Nose Day 2022 will culminate in an unmissable evening of television that will be broadcast from 7pm on Friday 18th March live from MediaCityUK in Salford on BBC One and BBC iPlayer as some of the nation's favourite faces come together for a very special night of comedy, entertainment, music and much more. The Red Nose Day night of TV will feature hilarious sketches, live performances and one-off comedy specials whilst showcasing the incredible impact donations have made in the UK and across the world."

This year's show will be hosted by Alesha Dixon, David Tennant, Zoe Ball, Paddy McGuinness and Sir Lenny Henry.

Edit: Zoe Ball got covid, so wasn't part of the hosting line-up in the end.

Highlights are set to include:

Rock Profile

David Walliams and Matt Lucas are set to revive their sketch show Rock Profile. The 1999 to 2001 format saw the duo impersonating various music stars.

The new footage will see Vernon Kay interviewing some "familiar faces" in the recording studio as they prepare for the release of the Comic Relief single. The BBC says: "Expect to see the likes of Adele, Post Malone, Lady Gaga, Lewis Capaldi, and many more as you have never seen them before."

Matt Lucas comments: "It's been really fun giving the Rock Profile treatment to a host of stars who weren't even twinkles in our eyes when we first did the show nearly 25 years ago."

David Walliams continues: "It has been a blast working with Matt on Rock Profile again. I can't wait for everyone to see our brand new characters."

Talking about working with the Little Britain duo, Vernon Kay notes: "I have been watching David and Matt's sketches for as long as I can remember, so I am super excited to get to be part of one myself. Thankfully I will be playing myself in Rock Profile, so I'll be saving David or Matt the embarrassment of attempting my accent! To be taking part all in the name of Comic Relief, makes this even better, as the work they do is super important. If we can make a few people laugh and raise some money, then we have done our job! I can't wait to see what David and Matt have in store for me."

French & Saunders on The Repair Shop

Comic Relief. Image shows from L to R: Steve Fletcher, Extra (Jennifer Saunders), Extra (Dawn French), Jay Blades

The Repair Shop welcomes some "very special guests" into the barn. Desperate to get on TV and to meet Jay Blades, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders reprise their characters 'The Extras' to blag a free fix from the team. As Jay sends them packing, whilst restorers Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch get to work on a special guest's repair, the extras wheedle their way back into the barn and mayhem ensues.

Dawn French says: "I don't think we've ever said no to Comic Relief because it just is too important, and because it's from our community, and we were there right at the very beginning. I know that the money is spent correctly and I know that there are projects that are ongoing that need us to be ongoing and I wouldn't ever want to let anyone down. So I think the more that we can do to boost and support, the better!"

Jennifer Saunders comments: "As I watched The Repair Shop, I thought all I could ever see was these characters going into The Repair Shop, or me and Dawn, pretending to mend something or imitating the characters. You know, I just thought, this is the show for us. Then Comic Relief said we've got The Repair Shop and it was like the perfect thing. It was so perfect!"

Jay Blades adds: "I can't believe the chaos that those two caused! We're always surprised by what we see in the barn, but trust me, we've not seen anything like this in the barn before - you must watch it to see how funny it was. For fans of the show it's a real treat!"

Ghosts

Ghosts. Image shows from L to R: Julian (Simon Farnaby), Pat (Jim Howick), Captain (Ben Willbond), Thomas (Mathew Baynton), Alison (Charlotte Ritchie), Kitty (Lolly Adefope), Robin (Laurence Rickard), Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), Lady Button (Martha Howe-Douglas), Mary (Katy Wix), Humphrey (Laurence Rickard). Copyright: Monumental Pictures

Edit: This sketch was not filmed in the end, as Minogue got covid.

Singer Kylie Minogue joins forces with the cast of hit BBC sitcom Ghosts in a "spook-tacular" one off sketch. The global music star visits haunted Button House, but will she be left 'Spinning Around' after a day with the ghouls?

Comic Opera

Comic Relief 2022: Comic Opera participants. Image shows from L to R: Nina Wadia, Sara Cox, Tamzin Outhwaite, Scarlett Moffatt, Rosie Jones, Helen George

Following the success of last year's Comic Opera, the format will return: it sees Comic Relief and the English National Opera pushing five celebrities to their limits in a unique challenge - learning to be opera singers. BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox will be on hand to support the all-female line up as they take on a medley of three Aria's from the opera Carmen.

The celebrities taking part this year will be comedian and writer Rosie Jones, TV presenter Scarlett Moffatt and actors Helen George, Tamzin Outhwaite and Nina Wadia.

Talking about the challenge, the BBC says: "Getting to grips with this highly skilled classical art form, they'll have just 24 hours to come together and perform live at The London Coliseum in front of 2,000 paying audience members. Thankfully they've got the support of Sara Cox who will be keeping everyone in order, plus ENO's award-winning Chorus and Orchestra behind them."

Rosie Jones says: "It's a tremendous honour to take part in the Comic Opera for Comic Relief. I am terrified; I find it hard enough to talk, never mind sing opera!!! I love singing though, and I always belt out 80s bangers in the shower, so surely it's just like that...with a few more clothes on! Hopefully we can have a lot of fun, and raise a lot of money for Comic Relief at the same time."

Helen George comments: "I'm so excited to be included in this year's Comic Opera with such a brilliant bunch of women. I'm sure my warbling will mainly be more 'Comic' than 'Opera', but looking forward to giving it a go."

Tamzin Outhwaite notes: "I am so thrilled to be part of this incredible line up for Comic Opera! I am used to acting on stage not singing so I am really looking forward to trying something new and who knows maybe I can put Opera Singer on the CV! Jokes aside, Comic Relief is such an amazing charity and I just hope I can do the chosen song justice, and If I can't, at least I've helped raise those all-important funds for those who are most in need."

Nina Wadia says: "Last year I learned to dance, and this year I am learning to sing operatic! Comic Relief is helping me tick something else off by bucket list, so how could I turn this opportunity down?! They do such fantastic work, and need every penny that the audience can donate, so the least I can do is give the performance of my lifetime at the London Coliseum."

Scarlett Moffatt says: "Being asked to take part in the Comic Opera amongst the rest of these brilliant ladies is incredibly exciting! I am so scared but totally up for the challenge because I've long been a fan of Red Nose Day, and the work Comic Relief does is just so important, so I really hope this helps people to donate donate donate!"

Sara Cox adds: "I can't wait to stand in the wings and watch our 5 brave souls sing their hearts out for Comic Relief, I just hope you can hear their voices over the sound of their knees knocking together! There'll be nerves, excitement and no doubt the odd duff note but our opera novices are doing it for the best cause in the world - Comic Relief."

Jack Whitehall's Mini Golf Challenge

Comic Relief. Image shows from L to R: Jack Whitehall, Declan Rice, Mason Mount

The 2022 Mini Golf Challenge will see Jack Whitehall take on two England football heroes at "the game of champions". Premier League players and childhood best friends Mason Mount and Declan Rice will be swapping their football clubs for golf clubs, as they go head to head on the mini golf course. The BBC says there will be "a big forfeit in store for the loser", adding "the pressure's on, but who will be victorious and who will end up thoroughly teed off?!"

Jack Whitehall says: "I am so thrilled that I am able to come off Zoom this year and get to host my very own challenge for Comic Relief, with two sporting heroes! I am a huge fan of both Declan and Mason (despite them not playing for my team [Arsenal]) but can only hope they leave all their ball skills on the football pitch, so I can claim victory! Filming with them is going to be so much fun, but we cannot lose sight of why we are doing this and that is to help raise money for Comic Relief, which such a worthwhile and brilliant charity and it really does make a difference to people's lives all over the world, and I am honoured to play a small part in that."

Bedtime Stories For Comic Relief

A Life On Screen - Stephen Fry. Stephen Fry. Copyright: BAFTA Productions / Whizz Kids Entertainment

Stephen Fry and a range of other celebrity readers present a very special one-off Bedtime Story for Comic Relief.

The BBC notes: "This hilarious tale is strictly for the grown-ups, full of home truths about the daily battle of getting the kids to nod off at bedtime, that every parent will be able to relate to. For parents who live in the real world, where a few sleepy animals and cutesy songs don't always send a toddler sailing off to the land of nod."

Mischief Theatre - The Mind Mangler

Magic Goes Wrong. Henry Lewis

The stars of The Goes Wrong Show and stage show Magic Goes Wrong will be introducing viewers to 'The Mind Mangler'. A spectacular mind reading routine, which doesn't always go to plan...

QI

QI. Image shows from L to R: Alan Davies, Sandi Toksvig. Copyright: TalkbackThames

QI will be bringing a special episode to Comic Relief, where the comedians will be looking at some quirky fundraising events and charity events from bygone days. Sandi Toksvig will be joined by Alan Davies, Jo Brand, Sally Phillips and Guz Khan.

The Great Comic Relief Prizeathon

Comic Relief

The laughs continue on TV after the news with the return of The Great Comic Relief Prizeathon - the strand that serves up live music, comedy sketches and a chance for viewers to support Comic Relief by entering some unmissable Text to Win Prize Draws.

The BBC says: "Taking the reins for this live extravaganza are comedian Joel Dommett and Strictly favourite AJ Odudu - who are joined by a live studio audience and some very special guests.

Joel Dommett comments: "OMGICBI (oh my god I can't believe it!) I'm helping host Comic Relief! It's a huge honour to be asked and I can't wait to raise plenty of cash while hopefully providing few laughs along the way!"

AJ Odudu says: "Hosting one of the biggest charity events on television really is such an honour and I can't wait to play my part in helping to raise funds for Comic Relief. With Joel Dommett by my side I've no doubt there'll be plenty of laughs and I can't wait to dish out prizes galore!"

Edit: Joel Dommett got covid, so Vernon Kay co-hosted in the end.

Other segments

Comic Relief. Lenny Henry

The BBC One broadcast will also include Fantastic Beasts stars Jude Law and Eddie Redmayne surprising school children visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter; Strictly champions Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice performing their waltz to How Long Will I Love You in the Comic Relief studio; and the cast of West End coming-of-age musical & Juliet taking to the stage to perform a medley of hits.

Talking about the appeal films, the BBC says: "Throughout the Red Nose Day night of entertainment, viewers will be shown how their donations can change lives in the UK and around the world. Films shown during the evening will feature powerful personal stories of those supported by the work Comic Relief funds and will highlight a range of issues in the UK including suicide and young people's mental health, domestic abuse and food poverty, as well as focusing on international issues including education in Uganda and children who are street homeless in South Africa."

TV programmes supporting Comic Relief

This Is MY House for Comic Relief 2022. Image shows from L to R: Robert Rinder, Claire Richards, Deborah Meaden, Ricky Hatton

A number of other Comic Relief related programmes will be broadcast in the run-up to Friday 18th, including:

This Is MY House (Wed 16th March, 8pm BBC One): The special of the guessing show will see Chris Eubank, Harry Hill, Claudia Winkleman and Nina Wadia having to deduce who the real homeowner is as they virtually snoop around a luxury four bedroom house. Trying to convince the celebrity panel is Ricky Hatton, Claire Richards, Deborah Meaden and Robert Rinder.

CBeebies Bedtime Stories (Monday 14 to Friday 18 March) will be bringing viewers a week of new funny stories from five brilliant new readers, culminating with Sue Perkins reading The Pirate Mums.

Tom Daley's Hell Of A Homecoming (Monday 14th March, 9pm BBC One) follows Tom Daley as he battles through "the toughest challenge of his entire life, to raise life changing cash for Red Nose Day."

Rowing Home With Jordan North (Tuesday 15th March, 8.30pm BBC Three) will see the Radio 1 presenter step out of his comfort zone in a relentless row between London and Burnley to raise money for Red Nose Day.

Glow Up Does Red Nose Day (BBC Three, soon) sees Lady Leshurr, Nikki Lilly, Roman Kemp, Snoochie Shy and The Vivienne become make-up artists for the day.

Meanwhile Blue Peter will be asking their audience to unleash their inner superhero across two shows on Friday 11th March and Friday 18th March at 5pm on CBBC and iPlayer.

Podcasts

Podcasting platform Acast has also announced that on Sunday 13th March many of its comedy-related podcast titles will be doing a Red Nose Day Podcast Mashup.

Off Menu, My Dad Wrote A Porno, Dan Snow's History Hit, Dane Baptiste Questions Everything, The Football Ramble, Nobody Panic, Ain't Got A Clue, Moon Under Water, Help I Sexted My Boss, Films To Be Buried With, The Guilty Feminist, Drunk Women Solving Crime, Man Baggage, Homo Sapiens, Cuddle Club, BudPod, Private Parts and RHLSTP With Richard Herring will be crossing over guests.

"The cream of UK comedy talent has once again come together for an incredible cause," says John Harris from the platform. "Acast is the home of comedy podcasts and, working with our creators and Comic Relief, we've pulled out all the stops to deliver some of the funniest podcast episodes you're ever likely to hear. Podcast fans all over the world are in for an absolute treat".


Talking about Comic Relief generally, co-founder Lenny Henry says: "My favourite memory of the last few years is the moment when we announced that the Brilliant British Public had donated over a Billion Pounds to Comic Relief since 1988. It was a proud moment for all of us."

Discussing the 2022 event, he adds: "The audience can expect more stars than you can shake a stick at, loads of passionate and exciting films demonstrating where the money goes and why. Please tune in, Red Nose Day - March the 18th... you might even see some celebrities singing opera LIVE... yikes. Be there."

To find out more about Comic Relief and make a donation visit comicrelief.com

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