Comic Relief 2025 - presenters, full line-up, and time show kicks off
Red Nose Day is back on our screens with a whole night of entertainment dedicated to raising money for Comic Relief, and here is all you need to know about this year's show
Comic Relief's Red Nose Day is this Friday, which means there's a fun-packed evening of entertainment ahead to raise money for the charity that was founded 40 years ago by scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Sir Lenny Henry. This year, the TV event is taking place live from Media City UK in Salford, and features a host of celebrity names presenting and appearing in comedy sketches and there will also be live performances, special surprises and musical acts to raise funds for important causes in the UK and around the world.
The show will be screened on BBC One and BBC iPlayer live from 7pm on Friday 21 March and here's a run down of what to expect on the night:
Article continues belowRylan Clark, Alison Hammond, AJ Odudu, Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Alesha Dixon, Jonathan Ross and Tom Allen are this year's presenters (Image: BBC-Ray Burmiston/Comic Relief-Rachel Joseph,Nicky Johnston/Hearst MagazinesUK-Matthew Shave/ITV Studios&Freemantle-Matt Frost )
Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Alison Hammond, Rylan Clark and Alesha Dixon will present on BBC One from 7pm to 10pm, before Tom Allen and AJ Odudu take over from 10pm on BBC Two.
Jonathan presented the very first Red Nose Day in 1988 and is back for the 40th anniversary celebrations. "I presented the first few years alongside Sir Lenny Henry and Griff Rhys Jones, and it was incredibly exciting to be involved," he said. "Over the years, I've stayed on the periphery, stepping in whenever asked. When they invited me back, it felt like a great way to commemorate the very first show."
Davina, meanwhile, wouldn't want to be anywhere else on Friday night. "I've done a lot of Red Nose Days, but every single time I host, it is the best night ever. It's a feeling of everybody coming together for such a positive cause, but at the same time having such fun and a laugh. I love everybody that works at and for Comic Relief, but I also know that the audience comes with such goodwill and great energy. It's just the best night ever. I really, really love it."
Joel and Alesha have also presented before, but it is the first time for Alison Hammond, who revealed she jumped at the chance when she was asked. ”It was a no-brainer for me, and I feel over the moon that they said yes. I’ve watched the show every year and I love the concept, using comedy to raise money for charities. So it’s an absolute honour, and I feel like it’s been a long time coming so I’m thrilled!"
From the Mr Bean Blind Date with Cilla Black, to Alan Partridge singing Wuthering Heights and James Corden's first ever Carpool Karaoke with George Michael, Comic Relief sketches are legendary, with stars reuniting and teaming up for terrific sketches shown throughout the evening.
This year, there are more unmissable skits to watch out for including Oasis: The Reunion: The Movie, in which Inbetweeners stars James Buckley and Joe Thomas reunite to play Gallagher brothers Liam and Noel in a parody charting their journey from Manchester lads to global rock superstars. They are joined by a cast that includes Martin Lewis, Vernon Kay, Tasha Ghouri, Melvin Odoom and Roisin Conaty in the spoof biopic.
There is also a comedy crossover, Not Going Beyond Paradise, in which the two worlds of Beyond Paradise and Not Going Out merge, thanks to Sally Bretton who appears as both Lee's wife Lucy in Not Going Out and Humphrey's wife Martha in the detective series. Kris Marshall and Lee Mack are also on hand, along with Zahra Ahmadi and a few other well known faces from both shows.
Asim Chaudhry's People Just Do Nothing character Chabuddy G is on hand to join with The Gladiators at Sheffield Arena, where he is convinced he is about to become one of the mighty Gladiators only to discover he is instead a challenger who has to compete in a head to head duel with human powerhouse Bionic.
He's not the only non-sports person aiming for greatness, as in Strictly Come Dancing The New Pro Dancers, Russell Kane and Rachel Parris play Johnny and Melissa, two newcomers joining the Strictly professional line up under the watchful eyes of Strictly hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
On a more serious note, there is also a special five minute episode of EastEnders that will focus on Phil Mitchell's mental health and the importance of treatment. Phil (Steve McFadden) has been at the centre of a mental health storyline which saw his character reach a crisis point when he attempted to take his own life on the EastEnders 40th anniversary as his depression with symptoms of psychosis took hold.
Whilst at the mental health unit, Phil makes friends with a patient called Andy (Jake Rory) who shares details of his time at a homeless youth hostel, and the pair soon realise that they have more in common than first anticipated.
Celebrities never say no to a challenge when it comes to raising money for Red Nose Day, and this year it's the turn of Jamie Laing, Gethin Jones, Helen Skelton and Billy Monger.
F1 presenter Billy competed in the gruelling Ironman World Championship to raise money for Comic Relief, and his 12 month training journey is detailed in Billy Monger: The Race Is On For Comic Relief, which airs tonight (Wednesday 19 March) at 9pm on BBC One and will also be available on iPlayer.
Presenter Jamie Laing began an ultra marathon 150 mile challenge on Monday, aiming to run from the BBC offices in London to Salford in Manchester by Red Nose Day on Friday, completing five ultra marathons. By Wednesday he had already raised £100,000 and was heading to Loughborough, while on Thursday he'll run through Kegworth and on Friday finish up in Salford.
And on Thursday, Morning Live presenters Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton will begin their Wheely Big Challenge, a 24 hour roller disco where they will be joined by other celebrities during their challenge.
Article continues below
Comic Relief Red Nose Day is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7pm on Friday 21 March.
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
READ MORE:Cat Deeley's chic This Morning trousers have hidden feature that totally transform them