Michael McIntyre

Michael McIntyre speaks about the death of his father

Britain's Got Talent judge Michael McIntyre is tormented by the sudden death of his beloved dad... the man who inspired him to become a comic.

Michael McIntyre wowed by 'BGT' impressionist

Michael McIntyre reserved his highest praise for an impressionist on this weekend's Britain's Got Talent.

Child comedian hits back after McIntyre made him cry

Child comedian David Knight yesterday hit back at Michael McIntyre for making him cry on Britain's Got Talent, saying: "Harry Hill is still my favourite."

McIntyre: Nice guy of comedy is having the last laugh

Profile: Once a nobody himself, Michael McIntyre is perfectly qualified for his new role on the judging panel of 'Britain's Got Talent', says William Langley.

Profile: Kitty McIntyre, wife of Michael

Michael McIntyre's wife Kitty does not always come out of his stand-up routines smelling of roses.

Michael McIntyre shines as Britain's Got Talent returns

I must admit, like many others I was sceptical as to whether the format was the right forum for an out-and-out comedian with Michael McIntyre's sensibilities. However, by the end of another well-produced hour of usual sub-SuBo singing revelations, there was only one opinion I wanted to hear.

McIntyre's mega-tour could make him most bankable act

Robert Newman and David Baddiel's pioneering one-off Wembley Arena show in 1993 prompted declarations that comedy was the new rock'n'roll.

Eighteen years on, Michael McIntyre is due to play several dozen similar sized gigs, making a strong challenge for the title of the UK scene's most bankable act.

Iain Stirling: Don't give up the day job

More than Kevin Bridges, Jason Manford or even Michael McIntyre, Iain Stirling is probably the most watched stand-up comedian on British television.

Comedy, music and good causes - it can only be the show that makes you laugh until you give.

Harry Hill, Steve Coogan, Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Ant and Dec and Armstrong and Miller are all doing something funny for money this year, along with the casts of The Inbetweeners, Outnumbered and Miranda.

We can also look forward to a specially shot mini-episode of Doctor Who, and James Corden will be back with the third instalment of his iconic Smithy trilogy - calling in favours from some very big names in showbiz.

Corden will also be one fifth of Fake That - a tribute band which boasts the talents of David Walliams, Alan Carr, Catherine Tate and John Bishop.

Never fear, though, the real Take That will be performing too. In fact, the night's going to be awash with boy-bands, as JLS are in the studio and it's The Wanted's turn to do the official Comic Relief single, Gold Forever.

The music line-up also includes chart-busting Adele, Annie Lennox, Elbow and Gareth Malone, who will be trying to turn some TV chefs into a Comic Relief choir.

Your hosts through this comedy marathon will be Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Michael McIntyre, Graham Norton, Claudia Winkleman and Fearne Cotton.

There have been 12 Red Nose Days since 1988, helping to raise more than £500million to help needy people in the UK and abroad.

There'll also be films from David Tennant, Jack Dee, Ruth Jones and Comic Relief stalwart Lenny Henry, each providing frequent reminders of how your money can help change people's lives for the better.

The build-up has been going on for weeks with everything from a "rude road trip" by the stars of The Inbetweeners to Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton's daring Battersea Power Station highwire act, and a gruelling challenge that saw nine stars trek for five days across the Kaisut desert in Kenya. So, what can top that as the bi-annual charity fundraiser takes over the airwaves tonight?

Well, with a presentation team that includes Michael McIntyre, Lenny Henry, Graham Norton, Fearne Cotton, Jack Whitehall, Kevin Bridges, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, James Corden and Jack Dee there are certainly lots of laughs in prospect. There's a host of one-off sketches to look forward to from Miranda Hart, Harry Hill, Steve Coogan, Armstrong & Miller and the cast of Outnumbered. There are also Comic Relief spin-offs of MasterChef and The Choir, and special outings for Doctor Who and EastEnders.

As well as all that, there are performances from some of the biggest names in the music industry, including George Michael and Boyzone, and reminders why it's all happening, with reports on how the money raised in previous years has benefited the underprivileged in Africa and here in the UK. Of course, amid all the chaos, everybody's eyes will be fixed on the cash counter clocking up every pound raised by volunteers and fundraisers. In 2009 Comic Relief raised £80 million.