David Tennant, Zoe Ball, Paddy McGuinness, AJ Odudu and Joel Dommett host another night of fabulous TV all in aid of Comic Relief. Tune into BBC One or BBC iPlayer tonight (17th March) for a night full of fun and laughs. Here is a roundup of everything you can expect from tonight’s show.
Musical Performances
There will be two musical acts; Tom Grennan will be singing his hit single You Are Not Alone, and Zara Larsson who will be performing her new single Can’t Tame Her.
The cast of Mrs Doubtfire The Musical will also be singing and dancing in their first UK performance of Make Me A Woman from the brand new stage show.
The Traitors
In a special parody of the hit psychological gameshow, The Traitors, a star-studded roundtable gathers to decide who should be banished. Claudia Winkleman (played by Dawn French) assembles the celebrity ‘Faithful’ and ‘Traitors’ for a discussion full of twists and turns. Jennifer Saunders, Stephen Merchant, Dame Mary Berry, Danny Dyer, Rosie Jones, Maddy and Wilf from series 1 of The Traitors will all gather at the roundtable. But, which other famous faces will be under the cloaks and who will be revealed as the ultimate Traitor?
Ghosts
Hit BBC sitcom Ghosts is back with a spook-tacular special for Red Nose Day, and they have a surprise guest… none other than global superstar Kylie Minogue! When Kylie and her live agent (played by Tanya Moodie) arrive at Button House to see if it's a suitable concert venue, the ghosts get the shock of their (after) lives.
Love Island
TONIGHT on Love Island, Comic Relief turns up the heat and the laughs by sending Chabuddy G, the unexpected BOMBSHELL into the villa. Expect Maya Jama slow-mos, sarcastic quips from Iain Stirling and a romantic trip to the hideaway.
Eurovision – The Audition Tapes
In this special sketch the UK may have found its Eurovision entrant for this year, but before the big night, our panel (Graham Norton, Lulu and Sam Ryder) will have to sit through aspiring celebrity auditions... of varying quality. Can Jamie Dornan sing? Have The Fizz made their mind up on their song choice? Has Tony Hadley still got it? Will Miranda’s performance get laughs? Or will Bono outshine them all? And who will need a hug from Dermot O’Leary after it all?
Stath Lets Flats
On Friday night Dermot O’Leary is visiting small businesses to see what they are doing to raise money for Comic Relief. And first up are the staff of Michael & Eagle lettings whose unique (and only) fundraising idea is to take Dermot on a sponsored tour of a rented flat.
Stath then showcases a brand-new song that he has written for Comic Relief – titled 'Comic Release' – which stars Stath, his sister Sophie, Katia and Al - PLUS some very special guest artists.
Stath Charalambos says: “I couldn’t feel more pleasant to have met Dernot O’Really in 2023 for Comic Release. His clothes fit on his body perfectly. Thank you X factor.”
Baldrick's Bedtime Story for Comic Relief
We’ll see the exclusive return of one of the nation’s most beloved comedy characters – Baldrick – as he reads his very own ‘Blackadder’ Bedtime Story.
Appeal Films
During the Red Nose Day evening of entertainment, viewers will see how their donations could help to improve the lives of those who are struggling the most, both in the UK and around the world. A series of films shown during the show will tell the personal stories of people supported by Comic Relief projects and shine a much needed light on the impact in these challenging times, homelessness, mental health problems, human trafficking, the war in Ukraine and the food crisis in East Africa.
Prizes
During the night of entertainment, viewers will be given the chance to win a series of fantastic prizes, including a very special piece of British history.
Chris Evans’ CarFest has generously donated an iconic 2009 Jaguar X-Type Estate previously owned and driven by HM Queen Elizabeth II, for an extraordinary Red Nose Day prize draw like no other. Presented in Emerald Fire, the Jaguar has Barley leather interior, and was designed by iconic car designer, Ian Callum. The impressive vehicle comes with a sunroof, automatic transmission, electric windows, climate control and a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate. This once in a lifetime prize draw is not to be missed, and you can enter now at comicrelief.com/win
Chris Evans said: “I’m so grateful CarFest is able to support Comic Relief and I’m thrilled that we are able to donate this very special historic car, and so pleased to be able to share it with another enthusiast, especially for such an important cause.”
Samir Patel, CEO of Comic Relief, said: “We are enormously grateful to Chris Evans and CarFest for this generous donation for Red Nose Day – this truly is a prize like no other we have ever been able to offer our supporters. This is an extraordinary opportunity to own a real piece of history and will be such a special prize for the lucky winner. From homelessness to mental health problems to food poverty, the money raised will help people facing incredibly tough times in the UK and around the world. Huge thank you to everyone who enters.”
When Comic Relief Did Big Brother (And things really kicked off!)
10pm, BBC Two & BBC iPlayer
In 2001, six celebrities entered the Big Brother house in aid of Comic Relief. It was eight days that had the nation hooked and helped raise millions of pounds. 22 years on since the original broadcast, winner Jack Dee and fellow housemates Vanessa Feltz, Claire Sweeney, Keith Duffy and Anthea Turner take a look back at this extraordinary moment in television history. From dancing in underpants to Vanessa writing on the furniture and Jack Dee’s great escape, revisit where celebrity reality TV was born.
Comic Relief: The Best of the Best Bits
10.40pm, BBC One & BBC iPlayer
Comic Relief turns 35 this year and AJ Odudu and Paddy McGuiness are donning their retro-spectacles for some Red Nose-talgia, ransacking the BBC archives for some of the very best bits from Red Nose Day history! Expect some classic sketches, star cameos, one-off specials; prime ministers, A-listers, legends joining the doyennes, divas, rogues and rascals from the top table of British comedy talent in this giddy 60-minute rampage through three and a half daft decades of fun and fundraising.
Comic Relief Night of TV will air on Friday the 17th of March on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
