Comic Relief
- TV variety
- BBC One
- 1988 - 2024
- 21 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.
Episode menu
- Comic Relief 2019
Further details
An extravaganza jam-packed full of celebrity performances, comedy sketches, live music, highlights from this year's challenges, and films about the incredible work Comic Relief supports. Lenny Henry hosts segments across the night, joined by various hosts.
General Timings
BBC One, 7pm - 10pm: Comic Relief 2019
BBC Two, 10pm - 10.35pm: Comic Relief Does University Challenge
BBC One, 10.35pm - 12.30am: Comic Relief 2019
Exact Timings
7pm: Opening monologue sketch with David Beckham, featuring James Corden.
Paddy McGuinness and Emma Willis introduce the show.
7:10pm: Freddie Flintoff pranks Robbie Savage on the Top Gear track with a car that is secretly driven by someone else.
7:18pm: Appeal film presented by Lenny Henry (FairShare).
7:23pm: Doctor Who explains Gift Aid.
7:25pm Highlights from previous Only Fools And Horses specials for Comic Relief, followed by a performance by the cast of Only Fools And Horses: The Musical.
7:33pm: Lindsey and Radzi from Blue Peter look into how schools have been raising money for Comic Relief.
7:37pm: Appeal film presented by Dawn French about an orphan.
7:43pm: A feature on Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's 24-hour danceathon.
7:48pm: Emma Bunton says thank you to British Airways.
7:50pm: Miranda Hart presents a video diary, featuring cameos from Joanna Lumley, Tom Ellis, Sarah Hadland, Jim Carter and Colin Firth.
7:53pm: Appeal film presented by Ed Sheeran about homelessness.
8pm: Emeli Sandé sings.
8:05pm: Zoe Ball and David Tennant take over as hosts.
8:08pm: Mamma Mia Here We Go Yet Again - Part 1.
8:15pm: Appeal film in Uganda with Stacey Dooley.
8:19pm: Maya Jama says thank you to TK Maxx.
8:21pm: A comic montage with Meera Syal, Martin Freeman, Russell Howard, Emma Watson, Richard Madden, Dawn French, Jimmy Carr, Gemma Arterton, Alex Brooker, David Beckham, Olivia Colman, Emma Thompson, Joanna Lumley, Alan Carr, Sanjeev Bhaskar, John Bishop, Chiwetel Ejiofor, David Walliams, Miranda Hart, Lenny Henry, Romesh Ranganathan, Anna Kendrick, David Tennant, Ed Sheeran and Bono.
8:23pm: Appeal film about a man with depression, helped by the charity Calm.
8:26pm: Mamma Mia Here We Go Yet Again - Part 2.
8:33pm: Appeal film presented by Romesh Ranganathan about suicide.
8:40pm: Appeal film with Lenny Henry looking at the positive changes in Cape Town.
8:42pm: Highlights from Kilimanjaro: The Bigger Red Nose Climb, followed by a studio interview with some of those involved.
8:53pm: Keane perform Somewhere Only We Know.
9pm: Romesh Ranganathan and Alesha Dixon take over as hosts.
9:03pm: Bodyguard sketch.
9:12pm: An appeal film about a 4-year-old girl in Malawi.
9:15pm: Kimberley Walsh says thank you to Sainsbury's.
9:18pm: One Red Nose Day And A Wedding - Part 1.
9:26pm: Appeal film about child marriage, presented by Jodie Whittaker.
9:33pm: Rae Morris sings a song.
9:41pm: One Red Nose Day And A Wedding - Part 2.
9:47pm: Appeal film presented by Olivia Colman about children war refugees.
9:55pm: A satellite link-up with Alan Partridge, but he doesn't seem aware he's live and is heard talking about his expenses.
10pm: Comic Relief Does University Challenge
Swapping Masters of Study for Masters Of Comedy And Entertainment, University Challenge gets a Comic Relief celebrity takeover for one night only.
David Baddiel takes on the hosting duties and is joined by a host of famous faces as Jason Manford, Emily Atack, Kerry Godliman, Martin Freeman, Robert Rinder, Vick Hope, Luisa Omielan and Darren Harriott compete to win in this one off special.
With appearances from Jeremy Paxman, voice-over man Roger Tilling, one man band Anders Flanderz and previous contestants Eric Monkman and Bobby Seagull.
10:35pm - BBC One
10:35pm: Repeat of the David Beckham intro.
10:40pm: Clara Amfo and Rob Beckett take over as hosts, and introduce the celebrity phone bank. Those staffing the phone change throughout the night, but the opening line-up is Emma Willis, Denise van Outen, Sophie Thompson, Kimberley Walsh, Romesh Ranganathan, Fleur East, Matt Tebbutt, Chris Stark, Scott Mills, Simon Webbe, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Joe Swash, Meera Syal, Lindsey Russell, Radzi Chinyanganya, Dan Walker, Aisling Bea and Basil Brush.
10:46pm: David Walliams presents 'Daves: The Official Calendar', featuring David Haye, David Ginola, David Tennant, Dave Berry, Davina McCall, David Baddiel, Dave the Plumber (played by Paul Putner) and David Blunkett.
10:50pm: An appeal film by Shirley Ballas about suicide.
10:55pm: The People Just Do Nothing stars explain Gift Aid.
10:57pm: Alan Partridge tries to undertake some pledges, with the help of Simon Denton.
11:03pm: Joe Sugg introduces a James Bond competition.
11:09pm: Appeal film about a charity worker called Rose.
11:14pm: Repeat of the celebrity montage.
11:17pm: Magic Mike Live featuring surprise guest Johnny Vegas.
11:22pm: Joel Dommett says thank you to Maltesers.
11:23pm: Repeat of Olivia Colman's appeal film.
11:31pm: Magic Goes Wrong.
11:36pm: The cast of Mrs Brown's Boys react to One Red Nose Day And A Wedding (a pre-filmed sketch in the All Round To Mrs Brown's studio).
11:46pm: Appeal film, in which refugees are seen calling family members.
11:49pm: Highlights from Celebrity Apprentice for Comic Relief.
11:51pm: Appeal film starring Peter Mullan.
11:53pm: Chats with those on the phone bank.
11:56pm: Repeat of the Ed Sheeran appeal film.
11:59pm: Stath (Jamie Demetriou) says thank you to Robert Dyas and Ryman, featuring Theo Paphitis.
Midnight: Behind the scenes on One Red Nose Day And A Wedding, with Richard Curtis, Mike Newell and the cast; followed by Marti Pellow singing Love Is All Around.
After midnight:
£60,628,353 total revealed, followed by appeal film.
Famalam sketch.
James Bond competition reminder.
Rachel Parris say thank you to BT.
Repeat of the Top Gear stunt.
Repeat of the Bodyguard sketch.
Close of the show, with highlights montage.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Friday 15th March 2019
- Time
- 7pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 330 minutes
Cast & crew
| Lenny Henry | Host / Presenter |
| Paddy McGuinness | Host / Presenter |
| David Tennant | Host / Presenter |
| Alesha Dixon | Host / Presenter |
Videos
One Red Nose Day And A Wedding invite
The cast of Four Weddings And A Funeral are returning for a new special for Comic Relief. It'll be shown on BBC1 on Red Nose Day on Friday 15th March.
Featuring: Hugh Grant (Charles), Kristin Scott Thomas (Fiona), John Hannah (Matthew), David Haig (Bernard), Sophie Thompson (Lydia), Andie MacDowell (Carrie), Rowan Atkinson (Father Gerald), James Fleet (Tom), Rupert Vansittart (George), Simon Kunz (John) & David Bower (David).
David Beckham and James Corden open Comic Relief 2019
David Beckham kicks off an epic night of entertainment for Red Nose Day 2019 and he's joined by a very special guest...
Featuring: David Beckham & James Corden.
Freddie Flintoff's Top Gear Wind Up
There's a bumpy ride in store as Freddie Flintoff pulls the ultimate four-wheeled prank on ex-footballer Robbie Savage at the Top Gear test track.
Featuring: Andrew Flintoff & Robbie Savage.
Miranda Hart's Daily Dose Of Such Fun
Miranda Hart has been making a video based on her Comic Relief book, Miranda's Daily Dose of Such Fun. Here's some highlights.
Featuring: Miranda Hart, Tom Ellis, Sarah Hadland, Jim Carter, Colin Firth & Joanna Lumley.
Mamma Mia Here We Go Yet Again
Jennifer Saunders and a host of famous faces re imagine the hit movie, featuring some of ABBA's biggest hits as well as a peek behind the scenes.
Featuring: Alan Carr (Colin Firth), Philip Glenister (Pierce Brosnan), Lucy Montgomery (Christine Baranski), Carey Mulligan (Amanda Seyfried), Susan Calman (Julie Waters), Miranda Hart (Ol Parker (The Director)), Gemma Arterton (Lily James), Joe Thomas (Three Very Different Young Men), Sue Perkins (Judy Graymer (The Producer)), Rose Johnson (Jessica Keenan Wynn), Jennifer Saunders (Meryl Streep), Jennifer Saunders (Cher) & Tom Hollander (Andy Garcia).
Bodyguard
David Budd is back, and he's got a new assignment...
Featuring: Richard Madden (David Budd), Vincent Franklin (Mike Travis), Gina McKee (Anne Sampson), Sanjeev Bhaskar (Official), Joanna Lumley (Prime Minister), Adrian Dunbar (Hastings) & Keeley Hawes (Julia Montague).
Calendar of Daves
David Walliams forms a special calendar for Comic Relief.
Featuring: Paul Putner (Dave the Plumber), David Walliams, David Haye, David Ginola, Dave Berry, Davina McCall, David Blunkett, David Tennant & David Baddiel.
Alan Partridge takes to the streets
Alan Partridge takes to the streets of Norwich to drum up some fundraising fun for Comic Relief.
Featuring: Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge) & Tim Key (Simon Denton).
Johnny Vegas in Magic Mike Live
Johnny Vegas is the surprise guest at the end of the Magic Mike Live performance on Comic Relief.
Featuring: Rob Beckett & Johnny Vegas.
Only Fools And Horses The Musical
The cast of Only Fools And Horses The Musical perform on Comic Relief.
Featuring: Paul Whitehouse (Grandad), Tom Bennett (Del Boy), Ryan Hutton (Rodney) & Peter Baker (Trigger).
Magic Goes Wrong
Miss Lois Duval performs some magic for the Comic Relief audience.
Featuring: Nancy Zamit (Miss Lois Duval), Rob Beckett, Charlie Russell, Dave Hearn & Ellie Morris.
Press
Post-Comic Relief criticism of David Lammy is a joke
The objection is not about what Comic Relief do. Since they were founded they have raised over £1 billion for good causes both in the UK and abroad, and that is worthy of praise. The objection is in how Comic Relief and similar organisations portray the work they are doing. Images have an unfortunate history of racialised appropriation. Actively combating this torrid tradition would be a step in the right direction when it comes to overturning centuries of nationalist power play.
James Hanton, The Student Newspaper, 28th March 2019Four Weddings sequel: All you need to know
It launched the careers of stars like Hugh Grant, and inspired a slew of romantic comedies.
Now, 25 years after its release, most of the original cast of Four Weddings and a Funeral have reunited for a short sequel to be shown during Friday's Comic Relief telethon on BBC One.
BBC, 15th March 2019Lenny Henry shares amazing work done through charity
The comedian and actor was a co-founder of Comic Relief back in 1985 and they had a simple vision to help create a world free from poverty.
Lenny Henry & Tom Davidson, The Mirror, 15th March 2019After much controversy, it is finally time for this year's edition of the annual fundraiser. The likes of Lenny Henry, Emma Willis and Romesh Ranganathan lead proceedings, with the usual spoofs including a Four Weddings and a Funeral reunion and a return for Bodyguard's DS David Budd. While, as ever, the money goes to worthy causes, the debate around how Comic Relief portrays relations between the UK and developing nations was long overdue - and may well have been taken into account ahead of tonight's telecast.
Hannah J Davies, The Guardian, 15th March 2019Louis Tomlinson cancels Comic Relief appearance
Comic Relief 2019 returns to the BBC tonight, but there will be an alteration to the schedule as Louis Tomlinson has had to pull out due to his sister's sudden death.
Rebecca Miller, The Daily Express, 15th March 2019Romesh Ranganathan: I'm proud to work with Comic Relief
It needs to improve, but it has done an incredible job when it comes to helping people lead better lives.
Romesh Ranganathan, The Guardian, 15th March 2019One Red Nose Day and a Wedding review
Twenty-five years after the release of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Richard Curtis's well-intentioned short sequel for Comic Relief gave rise to no laughs but some genuine pathos.
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 15th March 2019