Rowan Atkinson to perform sketch for Red Nose Day
More details have been released about the comedy line-up for this year's Comic Relief appeal night. It has been revealed that Rowan Atkinson is set to appear as the Archbishop of Canterbury (pictured) in a sketch on the BBC Red Nose Day broadcast.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Red Nose Day, and on Friday 15th March the BBC will host the bi-annual telethon billed as a "truly unforgettable night of TV". Michael McIntyre, Rob Brydon, John Bishop, Lenny Henry, Jack Whitehall and Jonathan Ross will be amongst the presenters on the night.
Although the full content of the all-evening broadcast has not yet been revealed, it is known that there will be a sketch from the cast of Channel 4 comedy drama Fresh Meat, a special edition of Russell Howard's Good News. Plus, Miranda Hart has said she will "ruin an episode of Call The Midwife" in a comic sketch.
Other celebrities taking part in Red Nose Day will include singer Jessie J, who will shave her hair down to 0.5mm live on TV, and worldwide superstar boyband One Direction, who will perform One Way or Another (a cover of Blondie's 1978 hit), which is this year's official Red Nose Day single.
Comic Relief was launched on Christmas Day in 1985 live on the BBC to highlight the famine crippling Ethiopia. Before too long, the idea of Red Nose Day was created to focus attention of Comic Relief's activities and the first ever event in 1988 raised an impressive £15m. After 25 years, £600m has been raised to help change lives in the UK and Africa.
Below is a video trailer featuring some of the stars of the night:
Each Comic Relief has a different Red Nose design, and this year there are three 'dinosaur' noses. There are also official t-shirts featuring the face of Tommy Cooper, designed by Stella McCartney. Below are photos of David Walliams, Stephen Fry, Lenny Henry and Jack Whitehall modelling these.
One major Comic Relief fundraising effort is already under way. Jack Dee and Dara O'Briain are amongst a team of celebrities in Africa attempting to navigate the Zambezi River to Victoria Falls. The mission has already had a number of dramas - Jack Dee and Spice Girl Mel C became trapped under their canoe yesterday, whilst Dara O'Briain spent more than an hour clinging to a tree in rapids earlier this week. Below is a video update from the river team:
Red Nose Day is Friday 15th March 2013. Find out more at www.comicrelief.com
An all-star music and comedy concert at Wembley Arena on Wednesday 6th March has also been announced to help raise funds. Give It Up For Comic Relief will be hosted by Russell Brand and - alongside music from the likes of Noel Gallagher, Kasabian and Emeli Sandé - it will feature stand-up performances from stars including Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle, Jason Manford, Simon Amstell, Noel Fielding and Doc Brown.