The UK is gearing up for a spectacular night of top telly treats in the name of Red Nose Day as Comic Relief – Face the Funny broadcasts live, for the first time ever, from the London Palladium on March 13.
The star-studded evening of comedy will be presented by a stellar line-up of TV favourites including John Bishop, Lenny Henry, Davina McCall, David Walliams and Claudia Winkleman, who will entertain the nation throughout this epic night. Here’s a taste of what’s to come…
The world’s most famous secret agent, Daniel Craig, has been given a licence to thrill viewers in a special one-off James Bond sketch – which promises to leave you shaken and stirred in the best way possible!
Comedy legend David Walliams will reprise his iconic character Lou for the exclusive return of Little Britain with a very special guest – Professor Stephen Hawking. The sketch, which also stars Catherine Tate, will be an unmissable highlight of the show.
Viewers will also be treated to another must see sketch, in which some of the biggest names in showbiz find out if they’ve done enough to earn the esteemed accolade of ‘National Treasure 2015’. Russell Brand, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Stephen Fry, David Gandy, Miranda Hart, Sheridan Smith and The Chuckle Brothers head an all-star cast in this one-off Comic Relief special.
The nation’s much loved female vicar is back as Dawn French returns to screens as Geraldine Granger, campaigning for the role of the next female Bishop – but she soon realises she has some stiff competition from a host of top secret but well-known faces.
Rowan Atkinson’s beloved character Mr Bean will return to Red Nose Day for the first time in eight years. This time he will be joined by actors Ben Miller and Rebecca Front for a sketch strewn with twists, turns and complications.
For the very first time, four Comic Relief heroes will appear live on stage together as John Bishop, Eddie Izzard, Davina McCall and David Walliams join forces for a special Comic Relief reinvention of the classic Monty Python ‘Four Yorkshiremen’ sketch.
After kicking off on The One Show the night before, Dermot O'Leary will be pushing himself to the limit as he finishes his epic non-stop 24 hour Day of Dance, live in the London Palladium. Dermot will dance his way from BBC New Broadcasting House, where he will have been dancing since he started live on The One Show the previous evening, through the streets of central London and enter the London Palladium to a triumphant welcome.
The People’s Strictly will reach a climactic finale as one of the six inspirational, everyday heroes and their professional dancing partner will be crowned the first champions of the show and awarded the iconic Glitterball trophy. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will present the coveted award to the lucky contestant live at the Palladium.
Aiming to split your sides with live stand-up comedy performances are Doc Brown, Cardinal Burns, Mr. Khan and Trevor Noah. They will each take to the stage of the London Palladium, popping up at different points throughout the show in a bid to get the donations rolling in and the crowds howling with laughter.
On BBC Two at 10pm a special edition of The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice, presented by Jo Brand with Frank Skinner and Mary Berry, will see the four Star Bakers from The Great Comic Relief Bake Off series compete against each other once again in a chance to be crowned champion of The Great Comic Relief Bake Off 2015.
There will be short highlights from Peter Kay's sold-out run of Phoenix Nights Live, and Sarah Millican will be appearing live on the night.
Viewers will be reminded of the serious side of Comic Relief’s work, with powerful and moving appeal films presented by Peter Capaldi, Olivia Colman, Idris Elba, John Bishop and Lenny Henry, to show how the money raised could help change lives here in the UK and across Africa. There will also be the opportunity to hear the good news of how Comic Relief cash has been used to make a difference.
The live show will feature stunning musical performances from pop sensation Ella Henderson, singer songwriter Labrinth and Grammy award winner Sam Smith.
And as if that wasn’t enough, viewers will be taken into the early hours with an hour long behind the scenes programme, Comic Relief – Making It Funny For Money, with original footage of how the programme and its sketches were made, plus interviews from the key players.
There will be further announcements about what’s in store over the coming weeks.
