British Comedy Guide

Red Nose Day - BBC TV Guide

Red Nose Day 2013. Image shows from L to R: Claudia Winkleman, Dermot O'Leary, Lenny Henry, Alan Carr, Rob Brydon, Michael McIntyre


On Friday 15th March 2013 - aka Red Nose Day - BBC One is taken over by Funny for Money, the all-night Comic Relief broadcast. Here's what you can expect to see - the words have been supplied by the BBC. It should be noted that, as it is a live programme, all timings are approximate.

7pm - 8pm

Red Nose Day 2013. Rowan Atkinson

Lenny Henry kicks off the biggest night in television comedy, this year celebrating 25 years on our screens. Dermot O'Leary and Claudia Winkleman join him to present a first hour absolutely stuffed with contributions from the best comedy and entertainment talent in the UK. Rowan Atkinson appears as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Jessie J shaves her head live in the studio, One Direction perform their smash hit Comic Relief single, Miranda Hart stars in a unique (or in her words, 'ruined') edition of Call the Midwife, and Miss Piggy graces us with her presence in the studio.

8pm - 9:30pm

Through Hell and High Water. Image shows from L to R: Dara O Briain, Chelsee Healey, Jack Dee

Michael McIntyre and Rob Brydon take over the reins at 8pm Highlights include the culmination of another special Comic Relief related storyline in EastEnders, Lenny Henry meeting the surviving celebrities from this year's extraordinary Zambezi River challenge, Jack Whitehall and Micky Flanagan 'cook off' for Dame Edna Everage in MasterChef, and Peter Kay presents the results of his very own physical challenge - something to match anything achieved for the charity by the Zambezi team.

9:30pm - 10:30pm

Miranda Hart

John Bishop and Davina McCall pick up the baton about 9:30pm. The excitement builds towards one of the most hotly anticipated comic events of the night: Ricky Gervais in a cheap suit - David Brent is back on the BBC. Other key highlights running up to the news are a Comic Relief first from the new queen of comedy Mrs Brown, whilst in the studio Miranda Hart comples the final leg of Miranda's Mad March around the country, joined live by Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.

10:30pm - 11pm (BBC Two)

The Office. David Brent (Ricky Gervais). Copyright: BBC

Jonathan Ross and Jack Whitehall continue the show on BBC Two whilst the main channel broadcasts the news. David Brent and Mrs Brown return for more classic comedy and the cast of Fresh Meat go back to their roots with a unique university-based challenge. Plus, a look back at the best moments from this year's Great Comic Relief Bake Off, as Jack and Jonathan possibly attempt to ice a cake - live.

11pm - 11:45pm

David Walliams

Jonathan Ross and Jack Whitehall continue in the hot seat. They are joined in the studio by everyone's favourite ex-Doctor, David Tennant. Citizen Khan travels down from Birmingham to be in the studio, and there's the premiere of another Comic Relief spectacular courtesy of David Walliams, in which we meet all the celebrities that he's been 'intimate' with over the last 12 months.

11:45pm - 12:45am

Peter Kay

The fun keeps coming as presenters Alan Carr and David Walliams team up to steer the show through a suitably irreverent hour. Peter Kay introduces a very special pop promo from his recent Comic Relief challenge, featuring his usual staggering array of willing celebrities, Magician Impossible Dynamo attempts a hugely ambitious illusion from the heart of BBC Television Centre, Russell Howard serves up some especially Good News, and we relive the very best bits from Graham Norton's recent marathon chat show on BBC Three.

12:45am - 1:30am

Russell Brand

Russell Brand caps off a stellar line up of presenting talent live in the studio, here to introduce (amongst other things) highlights from his sellout Give It Up for Comic Relief concert. Those just getting in from the pub will have a chance to catch the culmination of Ricky Gervais' extraordinary David Brent sketch, as well as all the other best bits from what promises to be a truly extraordinary night of TV.

1:30am - 3am

Nick Grimshaw

Nick Grimshaw enjoys a rare late night as he hosts the now legendary Comic Relief clip show in Grimmy's Comic Relief Late Nighter, featuring the very best sketches from the last 25 years of the telethon, mixed with his favourite comedy clips from the last 12 months. Burning the late night oil with him will be Citizen Khan and special guests.


Red Nose Day 2013


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Published: Friday 8th March 2013

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