Rob Brydon

Ricky Gervais reviving The Office's David Brent, Miranda Hart giving Call The Midwife a baby comedy makeover, Jessie J shaving her head and Peter Kay in physical challenge and pop promo mode promise to be among the highlights as Comic Relief bigs up its 25th birthday. So if clamping a red nose on your hooter doesn't tickle your fancy, just settle back and raise a glass and a chortle as a raft of hosts, including Rob Brydon, Jack Whitehall and Russell Brand, tackle such dubious tasks as introducing Simon Cowell's wedding video. Someone's having a laugh with that one, surely.

That's Jessie J under the swirl of shaving foam, and the reason she's posing like the queen of the Oompa Loompas is that she'll be shaving her hair off as part of tonight's culmination to Red Nose Day. Yes, it's time for the stunts and dares and unlikely comedy mash-ups to reach their bubbling live climax.

As ever, we can expect unmissable moments delivered by an almost obscenely starry line-up. Presenters include Michael McIntyre, Rob Brydon, John Bishop, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and (careful, now...) Russell Brand. Ricky Gervais will bring David Brent out of retirement. There are mini-eps of Call the Midwife and Fresh Meat, a cook-off between Jack Whitehall and Micky Flanagan, and of course a new novelty pop promo from Peter Kay.

The trick for viewers is to flash the cash early. Text the donation line or get out the credit card at an early stage, then relax as the night rolls by. You'll never make it through all those heartbreaking appeal films if you don't know your money's on its way.

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You know the routine by now: let the children stay up a little late, don your red nose and get ready to donate, as television's finest entertainers prepare to make us chuckle for charity. It's the 25th anniversary of this kind-hearted TV telethon, and the roster of celebrities involved is not to be sniffed at.

Some familiar faces present the evening's festivities, including Dermot O'Leary, Michael McIntyre and Rob Brydon. Things kick off with Rowan Atkinson masquerading as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Jessie J shaving off her hair and One Direction performing their charity single One Way - let's hope David Cameron, who featured in the video, makes an appearance. Among the many other highlights is the cast of Call the Midwife cast performing a mini-episode featuring an unusual birth. Meanwhile, Homeland's Damian Lewis guest stars in a Vicar of Dibley special. Office fans will also be delighted to hear that David Brent returns to our screens, when Comic Relief switches over to BBC Two at 10.30pm. As ever, this is a full-on evening. There will be laughter, probably some tears, and hopefully a large sum raised at the end of it.

UKTV keen to see funny side

UKTV has pledged to order risky and ambitious shows, and wants more original scripted comedy ideas after revealing plans for its first sitcom. Speaking at a Broadcast Breakfast Briefing earlier this week, controller Emma Tennant and director of commissioning Jane Rogerson said they were also looking for UKTV's version of The Trip, the Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon fronted comedy that aired on BBC2. Rogerson said UKTV is keen to develop further comedy ideas for both Gold and male-skewing network Dave.

Video: Rob Brydon makes West End debut

Rob Brydon has made his West End stage debut in Alan Ayckbourn's A Chorus of Disapproval.

The comedian and actor stars opposite former EastEnders star Nigel Harman/p] and Ugly Betty's Ashley Jensen in the revival of the 1984 comedy under the direction of Trevor Nunn at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

He grew a beard for the part of Dafydd, the director of an amateur operatic society production.

Brydon told BBC Wales Today reporter Matt Murray it was the "perfect opening night" while opera star Bryn Terfel and comedian Jimmy Carr gave their views on the first night.

Review: A Chorus of Disapproval

Not as riotous as advertised, but Rob Brydon and a steller cast devilver a safe and solid revival of Alan Ayckbourn's Eighties comedy.

How Rob Brydon learnt to play nice

Rob Brydon was once as anxiety-ridden and drawn to darkness as the next comedian. Today, he's a light entertainment fixture and cheeriness personified. What went wrong?