Joe Lycett is one of the few actual comedians taking part in Radio 1's forthcoming events to make the nation laugh again. 

The youth station's LOLathon kicks off on Friday 5 March at 8am and continues until Friday 12 March on Radio 1, culminating in a 24-hour marathon show hosted by Scott Mills and Chris Stark. The marathon will commence at 9am on Thursday 11 March and will continue until 9am the following day (or until Scott falls asleep at the controls).

The marathon show will feature some of the nation’s biggest music and entertainment stars, including Little Mix, who will be meeting Superfan Steve, Anne-Marie and KSI, who will both be revealing what they were like as kids as they re-read their old school reports to the nation, and Joe Lycett, who will be dredging up some of the Radio 1 DJs’ very first contributions to social media, with embarrassing results.

There will be plenty of music throughout the 24 hour show as some of pop’s finest drop by to perform some unexpected covers, from the likes of Icelandic Eurovision sensation Daði Freyr right through to Grammy award winner Finneas, who will be taking on a Britney classic. Scott Mills will also be taking MNEK through a vocal coaching session, while CBBC icon Tracey Beaker (Dani Harmer) will feature in a world exclusive soundclash. Meanwhile, in the world famous Radio 1 Live Lounge, a venue which has played host to the likes of Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande and Stormzy in recent years, the legendary Four Lads in Jeans (off of the meme) will be preparing to make their debut.

All the Radio 1 DJs will be taking part in the marathon preparations throughout the week while carrying out some challenges of their own. Among them will be Radio 1 Breakfast host Greg James, who will be calling on some famous friends to help him find Radio 1’s funniest listener (all socially distanced, of course), and Clara Amfo, who will be attempting to break the official world record for the most Beyoncé songs named in one minute. Nick Grimshaw will be carrying out his own nationwide talent search to launch brand new band The Drag Dads, while Matt Edmondson will be taking it upon himself to throw Mollie King the most extravagant on-air hen do possible.

Radio 1’s LOLathon is taking place in support of Red Nose Day 2021 (Friday 19 March 2021). The week-long initiative will aim to make the UK laugh again amid continually challenging circumstances, bringing listeners together to celebrate the power of humour in even the toughest of times. Money raised by Red Nose Day will support people in the UK and around the world, and help tackle hunger, homelessness, domestic abuse and mental health stigma.

Scott Mills and Chris Stark say: “We are setting out to MAKE THE UK LAUGH AGAIN and this time the LOLathon is bigger and better than before. Last time we did a Knock Knock joke at No.10, Chris went to the holy grail of place names, ‘Muff’ in Ireland, and dressed up in a diving outfit, and yes, there was that episode of Innuendo Bingo that was so rude we promised never to repeat it. But this time the carnage lasts a WHOLE WEEK. Superfan Steve has come off furlough to meet Little Mix, the Four Lads in Jeans will be making their Live Lounge debut and Scott will be seeing one for the first time ever. Yep. That’s happening… see you on the 5th March.”

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “2021 has been off to a tough start for many of us, so we felt it was time to bring in something to help the UK laugh again. The Radio 1 presenter family are ready to take on the task, and with Scott and Chris preparing for another marathon show, it’s sure to be an unmissable week.”

About Red Nose Day 2021

• Red Nose Day is back on Friday 19th March 2021 and will aim to bring the UK together to show just how powerful humour can be through the toughest of times
• It has never felt more important to raise smiles and money for those who are struggling more than ever, as the continued impact of COVID-19 brings unprecedented challenges to many
• The money raised by Red Nose Day will support people in the UK and around the world, and help tackle hunger, homelessness, domestic abuse and mental health stigma

• Visit https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday or follow @ComicRelief on social media for the latest Red Nose Day content, news and information