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Comic Relief. Copyright: BBC
Comic Relief

Comic Relief

  • TV variety
  • BBC One
  • 1988 - 2025
  • 22 episodes

Every two years the biggest British comedy stars and shows come together to raise money for charity. Stars Lenny Henry, Jonathan Ross, Griff Rhys Jones, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and more.

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Comic Relief 2011

Celebrities from the world of entertainment join forces as the 2011 charity fundraising event begins, with presenters Michael McIntyre, Claudia Winkleman, Graham Norton, Davina McCall, Dermot O'Leary and Jonathan Ross.

Preview clips

Further details

7pm - 10:30pm

There are special instalments of Doctor Who, Outnumbered and EastEnders, while Claudia Winkleman, Ruby Wax and Miranda Hart go head-to-head for Comic Relief Does MasterChef.

Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders star in a Downton Abbey spoof, James Corden reprises the role of Smithy in a new sketch, and Harry Hill is joined by some very special friends.

10:30pm - News

The comedy continues on BBC2.

11:05pm

The fundraising spectacular continues, as Jonathan Ross and Claudia Winkleman take the reins to find out how David Walliams survived being on a panel show for 24 hours (24 Hour Panel People).

Steve Coogan returns with a very special Alan Partridge.

The Inbetweeners boys report on the Rude Road Trip they went on around the UK.

Kate Moss takes part in a brilliant new sketch.

Summer Heights High's Chris Lilley premieres his new show Angry Boys.

1am to 2:30am - Jack and Kevin's Comic Relief Lock-in

Top stand-up comedians Jack Whitehall and Kevin Bridges take Comic Relief through to the early hours with a selection of the best comedy clips of the last couple of years. Featuring brilliant comedy from Steve Coogan, Ben Stiller, Rob Brydon, Mitchell & Webb, Armstrong & Miller, Ronnie Corbett, Miranda Hart, Sean Lock and Kate Moss, plus some exclusive comedy never seen before on British television.

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 18th March 2011
Time
7pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
480 minutes

Videos

'Sorry I've Got No Head' Comic Relief Sketch

A special Comic Relief sketch made by the cast of CBBC sketch show Sorry I've Got No Head.

Alan Partridge Teaser

A special preview of the sketch featuring the radio presenter's unique take on charity fundraising!

Smithy to the Rescue

A host of stars join Smithy - aka James Corden - for his special sketch for Comic Relief.

Uptown Downstairs Abbey

A host of stars, including Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Harry Enfield and Victoria Wood join forces for a period-drama-themed spoof.

JLS Train at Miranda's Dance Studio

Miranda tries to reveal a few juicy details about her new job for Comic Relief.

Armstrong and Miller are sorry

The comedy duo return with a special sketch for Red Nose Day - and they're so sorry.

Ricky, Stephen and Karl

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, Karl Pilkington with a special sketch for Red Nose Day.

Uptown Downstairs Abbey - Part 1

The 2011 spoof of Downton Abbey.

Press

Babs Windsor goes kung fu crazy for Comic Relief

It's become a Red Nose Day tradition for Comic Relief to take over and mercilessly mock some of the BBC's biggest shows, taking them down a peg or two - and it's a great excuse for some surreal cameos.

London Is Funny, 21st February 2013

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.

Jane Simon, The Mirror, 18th March 2011

Smith teases 'Who' Comic Relief special

Matt Smith has teased the upcoming Doctor Who Comic Relief special.

Ryan Love, Digital Spy, 10th March 2011

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