You’ve got to ... it’s Wed Nose Day
T’S TIME to buy your red noses for the biggest comedy party on the planet.
Sir Lenny Henry says : “Red Nose Day is a bit like a comedy family reunion. I love the vibe in the live studio. Even when people are being noisy! Eating crisps too loudly!
“Last time I did sort of melt down live on television because people were talking too loudly. I felt like a stroppy teacher. No loud chewing in the studio, please! This one’s going to be at Elstree and there’s going to be none of that this time.”
Lenny has no shortage of high profile stars helping him with the latest extravaganza.
Emma Willis, Paddy McGuinness, David Tennant, Zoe Ball, Romesh Ranganathan and Alesha Dixon will be fronting the biennial fundraiser which promises a mammoth night of live comedy, sketches, music acts, fundraising films and more.
David Tennant says : “Comic Relief is a national institution. It’s great fun. It’s a night I always enjoy watching and being a part of. It’s like national service – if you get a call from Comic Relief, you don’t say no.”
Paddy McGuinness says : “I’ve done stuff with Comic Relief over the years, but every time the live show has come up I’ve been somewhere else or I’ve been doing something at the time and the stars have never aligned. But they have this time! So it’s great to be part of it.
“My introduction to Comic Relief was playing a boxer – I was boxing Alan Partridge! It all ended in chaos. I think we all ended up on the floor.”
One of the big highlights this year is when Red Nose Day becomes Wed Nose Day as the cast of Four Weddings And A Funeral reunite for the first time in a quarter of a century.
The sketch has been written by Richard Curtis, writer of the original film and co-founder of Comic Relief and reunites the film’s stars including Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell and Rowan Atkinson.
Richard says : “It’s 25 years since the film came out and I was never going to follow it up. And then it did just occur to us that the characters in the movie would have children so they might be back in the wedding phase again.
“I think there’ll be three laughs and two tears.”
Jennifer Saunders will be paying her own film tribute in Mamma Mia Here We Go Yet Again! and will attempt to sing some of Abba’s most iconic songs with the help of Alan Carr, Philip Glenister, Carey Mulligan and Gemma Arterton.
Carey says : “Jennifer is so good at making you feel relaxed and the rest of the cast have all been so sweet and encouraging. It’s been a real honour to watch these comedy masters up close.”
Richard Madden also reprises his role as DS David Budd in a mini episode of Bodyguard and Freddie Flintoff drives Robbie Savage round the bend at the Top Gear test track.
Daves : The Official Calendar sees David Walliams rallying a whole host of showbiz Daves to join him in making a Comic Relief charity calendar and David Baddiel will also be hosting Comic Relief Does University Challenge on BBC2 at 10pm.
In addition, there will be a show-stopping performance from the cast of Only Fools & Horses : The Musical, as well as incredible live music.
Alan Partridge also takes to the streets of Norwich in an attempt to raise money (and a few eyebrows), before it’s All Round To Mrs Brown’s.
The cast of Magic Mike Live turn up the heat in the studio, and if you’re a James Bond fan, you could win a meeting with 007 himself, Daniel Craig, as part of an incredible giveaway competition.
Lenny says Comic Relief has become an important part of people’s lives. “I remember taking my daughter to school when she was a toddler and everyone was wearing red wigs and red noses with their clothes on back to front. All of those people joining in with Red Nose Day.
“And all those years later I still see that. We have people wearing T-shirts and badges to support it.”
Comedian Rob Beckett is also back on presenting duties and says he has no problem remembering his standout Comic Relief memory – “Being asked to peel a banana with my feet by Graham Norton to close the show in front of Russell Brand, Cara Delevingne, Gordon Ramsay, Lenny Henry, Matt Lucas, Jonathan Ross, Miranda Hart, Micky Flanagan, Richard Osman and about 20 other similarly important and famous people at the end of the last Comic Relief will stick with me for a long time.”
So, has fellow presenter Romesh Ranganathan ever done anything silly to raise money for charity? “I once agreed to be one of the hosts of a large scale televised charity institution with a selection of comedy legends despite having minimal experience of doing live television,” he quips. “I will let you know how it works out.”
DONATIONS can be made throughout the night by visiting bbc. co.uk/rednoseday; calling 03457 910 910; or to donate £10 text the word YES to 70210; or to donate £20 text YES to 70220, or to donate £30 text YES to 70230.