The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Review
TASKMASTER
BBC One, from 7pm
Channel 4, 9pm
Charlotte Ritchie, Jamali Maddix, Lee Mack, Mike Wozniak and Sarah Kendall are the fresh contestants under the contemptuous eye of taskmaster Greg Davies as the series returns for an 11th run, with challenges involving airport security and fashion for insects.
It’s big, boisterous fun.
Dig deep folks because the biennial extravaganza is back with another star-studded line-up. Lenny Henry is joined by Davina McCall, Paddy McGuinness, Alesha Dixon and David Tennant to showcase sketches, live performances and updates on the charity’s fundraising.
Among the expected highlights are Keira Knightley, Anna Friel and Michael Sheen’s disaster movie sketch, a turn from Dawn French as the Vicar of Dibley alongside real-life vicar Kate Bottley, and a promised mash-up between the stars of BBC Three’s big hits, Normal People and Fleabag. Obviously these events can contain as many misses as hits and those who do find the whole thing cringeworthy should rest assured that there are also segments showing how the money raised has benefited various groups, as well as musical performances from Gabrielle, The Proclaimers and the cast of Back to the Future: the Musical. Later: with
Jools Holland (BBC Two, 10pm) also has a Comic Relief theme as the presenter talks to Lenny Henry. Finally, at
10.45pm, The Great Comic Relief Prizeathon sees Jason Manford and Amanda Holden host a live special with more sketches plus the chance for viewers to win prizes. Sarah Hughes