Comic Relief 2025 – who is presenting, the full line-up, and what time it is on

A whole night of entertainment dedicated to raising money for Comic Relief returns to our screens with this information.

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:

Presenters

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.”

Alison Hammond, who previously gave similar presentations, revealed she jumped at the chance when asked. “It was a no-brainer for me, and I’m thrilled that they said yes,” I said. Every year, I watch the show, and I adore the idea of using humor to raise money for charities. Therefore, I’m thrilled because it’s an absolute honor and it’s been a long time coming, so I’m thrilled”!

Sketches

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.

Chabuddy G, a character from Asim Chaudhry’s People Just Do Nothing, is present at Sheffield Arena where he is convinced he is about to join The Gladiators, only to discover that he is a rival who must compete in a face-to-face battle with Bionic, the leader of human power.

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.

When a patient named Andy (Jake Rory) asks Phil to help him with his time at a homeless youth hostel, they soon discover that they have more in common than they had anticipated.

Red Nose Day Challenges

Celebrities like Jamie Laing, Gethin Jones, Helen Skelton, and Billy Monger always take the challenge seriously when it comes to raising money for Red Nose Day.

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.

Additionally, Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones will launch their 24-hour roller disco, Wheely Big Challenge, on Thursday, where other celebrities will be able to join them.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 21, Comic Relief Red Nose Day airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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Source: Mirror