Comic Relief

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.

Saunders, Enfield parody Downton Abbey for Comic Relief

It's Abbey-Solutely Fabulous - as Jennifer Saunders and Harry Enfield star in a spoof of hit period drama Downton Abbey.

Joanna Page takes to the skies for Comic Relief

By night, Joanna Page is treading the boards but by day she's revealed herself to be a bit of a daredevil.

Can classical music be funny?

It's hard to find any truly comedy classical, but record covers are another matter. And as for classical critics doing standup...

The Timeline: Comic Relief

The history of the charity.

Twitrelief? I don't follow

Buying' a celebrity Twitter follower may raise money for Comic Relief, but isn't there a less sycophantic way to give to charity?

Radio review: Three Red Nose Day themed radio shows

Review of Red Nose Day - Performance on 3, Red Nose Day - The Verb and The Reunion - Comic Relief.

Video: Ant and Dec take the Breakfast set

Presenter Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly joined the Breakfast sofa to talk about their Comic Relief challenge.

They are visiting as many television and radio stations as possible in 12 hours and their aim is to take a souvenir from every location they visit which they will put up for auction to raise money for Comic Relief.

Ant & Dec gate-crash as many shows as they can in 1 day

TV and radio audiences can expect a few interruptions to their regular broadcasts today. Comedy duo Ant & Dec are gate-crashing as many sets as possible - live on air - to appear on as many shows as possible within 12 hours.

Comic Relief: the red noses are back again

The comedians may be smug and the jokes old, but we still love giving to a good cause, says William Langley.