Harry Judd, Hugh Bonneville, Jamie Demetriou, Dame Joanna Lumley, Lee Ridley, Mr Blobby, Oti Mabuse, and Rosie Jones are just a few of the familiar faces who feature in a brand-new sketch released today to mark the launch of Red Nose Day 2022, which returns on Friday 18th March.
In the exclusive new online sketch, viewers will see Sir Lenny Henry set out to make an inspirational movie about the wonderful people who make Red Nose Day so special, the amazing fundraisers up and down the country, but word gets out to some of Comic Relief’s well-known friends and the audition tapes start rolling in.
Those who feature in the sketch hoping to bag themselves a role in the new movie include Dame Joanna Lumley, Ellie Taylor, Harry Judd, Hugh Bonneville, Jamie Demetriou, Jamie Laing, Jayde Adams, Lee Ridley, Mr Blobby, Oti Mabuse, Phil Wang, Riyadh Khalaf, Rosie Jones, Sir Lenny Henry and Vick Hope. Unfortunately, to Sir Lenny’s dismay, they all take their audition a little too far…
Voiced by Graham Norton, the never seen before sketch which can be viewed on YouTube, aims to celebrate the incredible endeavours of those who fundraise and donate to Red Nose Day, as they are the ones who make life changing work possible in the UK and around the world.
Comic Relief co-founder, Sir Lenny Henry, said: "The spirit of Red Nose Day is for everyone to get involved and to get the vibe of helping someone else that they don't know, it's always been that and what could be better?”
“I've been inspired by so many people and its usually members of the public who do extraordinary things. I'm always amazed by how dedicated and passionate the people that run the projects are - both in the developing world and in this country – to help better the lives of so many. So, to anybody who has fundraised to support these life changing projects, I personally thank you because we wouldn't be able to do this stuff without you guys. You are the people that inspire me."
The famous faces have rallied together to show their support, discussing the joy of Red Nose Day and what it means to them.
Dame Joanna Lumley said: “I love Red Nose Day and I love everything it does. I love the people who raise money for Comic Relief, whether they participate in doing something, whether they buy something or whether they just donate money, they are giving everything they possibly can to help people. It’s fantastic. I was so honoured to be asked to be involved in Red Nose Day and I want this year to be big, because times have been so dark and strange, let’s make this one fabulous!”
Jamie Demetriou said: "Red Nose Day has been such a constant and positive presence in my life since I was a kid. Being asked to be involved for another year just felt like such a natural thing to do and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to show my continued support for a charity that funds such life-changing work.”
Oti Mabuse said: The thing I love so much about Red Nose Day is that it supports so many incredible causes and the money helps thousands of families, not only in the UK but around the world. I come from South Africa and I've seen poverty first-hand but knowing that even just a little bit - whether £5 or £100 - goes a long way, shows just how much every donation can help make a difference to those who need it most."
Rosie Jones said: “I’m so proud to support Red Nose Day – it puts comedy at the heart of everything it does and raises money for such important causes. There are not many charities that I’d dress up as a banana for! Well, I actually loved every second of it so maybe that’s not quite true. But seriously, the money raised will help so many people, and one of the issues they focus on is mental health and reducing stigma, which I care passionately about. Making the film was great fun and hope you all enjoy it.”
With lots of exciting plans in store, today Red Nose Day is excited to reveal just a few of the ways the public can get involved and enjoy this year’s campaign…
David Tennant, Paddy McGuinness, Sir Lenny Henry and Zoe Ball will be hosting the big Red Nose Day night of TV which will hit screens live on BBC One on Friday 18th March. The show will be broadcast from Salford for the very first time, live from the biggest multi-camera purpose-built TV studio in the UK, the perfect place to broadcast a night of unmissable night of hilarious comedy, special sketches, fun and much, much more.
Britain’s best-loved dog trial will be given a Red Nose Day twist as comedians Tim Vine and Kiri Pritchard-McLean (pictured) head to the Welsh countryside to take on Countryfile’s iconic One Red Nose and Their Dog competition. The challenge will see the comedians put their newfound sheepdog skills to the test in a bid to be crowned the champions in the one-off special set to air in March, with the winner revealed on the Red Nose Day BBC One night of TV.
The One Show’s Red Nose and Spoon Race is back and bigger than ever. Two teams will battle it out to be crowned winners of the physically demanding four-day race that not only tests their fitness but also their hand eye coordination as they aim to keep the nose on their spoons and raise as much money as possible for Red Nose Day. Two brand new captains will guide their teams, with exactly who to be revealed on The One Show in a few weeks’ time.
In March, five stars will become Glow Up Make-Up Artists (MUAs), competing in the iconic Glow Up studios and beyond to become Britain’s First Celeb Make-Up Star for Comic Relief. In this Red Nose Day special one-hour episode, the celebrity MUAs will be given the same treatment as the competing MUAs in the full series. Under the watchful eye of two of the biggest names in the make-up world, Val Garland and Dominic Skinner, they will be set a real-world make-up industry assignment and creative briefs against the clock. Maya Jama returns as host and the iconic Dame Zandra Rhodes joins Val and Dominic to help oversee the make-up artistry as a guest judge. The celebrity names will be revealed in due course.
Five stars will lull the nation to sleep reading a handpicked story close to their heart in the first ever Red Nose Day series of the popular CBeebies’s Bedtime Stories – names to be revealed soon.
Money raised by Red Nose Day will support vital life changing work in the UK and around the world which includes tackling homelessness, domestic abuse, poverty and mental health problems, all of which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
To find out more visit: www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday.
Watch the new comedy sketch below
