With a marathon evening of stand-up, sketches and specials planned for Comic Relief: Face the Funny, we’ve previewed the evening’s highlights, with quotes from the stars about what's in store!
Dancing Dermot
Twinkle-toed X Factor host Dermot O’Leary puts his feet to the test with a 24-hour, non-stop, Day of Dance. Stepping into action on The One Show on Thursday, Dermot plans to dance through the streets of London, finally sashaying onto the stage at the Palladium! But will his pins hold up?
Dermot says: “When I came up with the idea for this event I was in the middle of a dancefloor on holiday, where you never want the dancing to end. Now I’m back in the freezing cold UK with a few less disco lights and a lot more bruises – and it doesn’t seem quite as appealing. I’m going to need all the support I can get from the public to keep me going!”
Bishop of Dibley!
At 8pm, Dawn French brings back Vicar Geraldine Granger for a special Red Nose Day sketch. Geraldine’s campaigning to become the next female bishop, but finds she has stiff competition in the form of top-secret guest stars.
“Viewers will have to tune in to see who turns up!” teases Dawn, while revealing her personal highlights: “I loved getting licked on the knees by Trevor Peacock (Jim Trott). That was a moment I won’t forget easily - I hope I’m not pregnant. Being in the car with James Fleet (Hugo Horton) and misbehaving and farting was also a highlight!”
Mr Bean’s back…
After an eight-year absence Rowan Atkinson reprises Mr Bean for Comic Relief. Ben Miller and Rebecca Front join bumbling Mr Bean for an exclusive funeral-set sketch!
Former Death in Paradise star Ben says: “I play a mourner in the congregation, who draws the short straw and has to sit next to Mr Bean… Don’t expect to see any kind of decorum, reverence or appropriate behaviour!”
Rebecca adds: “The true beauty of Mr Bean is that you know something’s going to go wrong, but it’s never quite what you think it’s going to be!”
Strictly champion
Live at the Palladium, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman present the coveted Glitterball trophy to the first ever winner of The People’s Strictly.
Wheely funny?
At 9pm, in what’s sure to be a highlight, David Walliams reprises the role of Little Britain’s Lou with the help of Professor Stephen Hawking and Catherine Tate.
Not the full Monty…
Monty Python’s iconic ‘Four Yorkshire men’ skit is performed live on stage by regular Comic Relief-ers Eddie Izzard, Davina McCall, John Bishop and David Walliams.
National treasure hunt!
The esteemed ‘National Treasure 2015’ accolade is up for grabs. But do Stephen Fry, Miranda Hart, Russell Brand or Sheridan Smithh stand a chance against The Chuckle Brothers in this special sketch?
Celebrity cake off
On BBC2 at 10pm, Jo Brand is joined by Mary Berry and Frank Skinner in BBC2’s The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice. The four star bakers from The Great Comic Relief Bake Off scramble to be crowned best baker!
You'll also see…
Live stand-up comedy from Cardinal Burns, Doc Brown, Mr Khan and Trevor Noah. Highlights from Peter Kay’s sold-out Phoenix Nights Live tour. And music from Sam Smith, X Factor star Ella Henderson and songwriter Labrinth.
See all this and more on BBC1 and BBC2, Friday 13th March from 7pm till late. To donate and help change lives in the UK and Africa go to www.rednoseday.com to find out how.
