For news and updates on Comic Relief 2024 as Sir Lenny Henry kicks off his final Red Nose Day follow MailOnline’s live blog here.
With Maya Jama and Rosie Ramsey co-hosting following Mollie King‘s 310-mile bike ride, which has smashed their £1m target, the night is sure to be filled with chaos and fun for a good cause.
Let’s take a look at Sir Lenny Henry’s best moments
Appearing for the last time, the 65-year-old co-hosted with Maya Jama, David Tennant and Davina McCall.
He was also joined by Romesh Ranganathan, Joel Dommett, Rosie Ramsey and Paddy McGuinness.
MailOnline is taking a look at the legend’s most memorable moments below…
Holly Willoughby’s Red Nose day appearance
The beloved presenter, 43, made sure to show her support for Red Nose Day with her dog Bailey.
It comes after it was revealed that Holly has sensationally signed to Netflix to host a celebrity jungle-based reality show named Bear Hunt.
The presenter, who quit ITV’s This Morning last October, will appear on the show alongside star survival expert, Bear Grylls.
Mollie King’s emotional 310-mile bike ride
Supported by her husband Stuart Broad, Mollie King’s mammoth bike ride was one of the highlights of this Comic Relief.
The Saturdays singer, 36, took on the epic journey from London to the East Riding of Yorkshire in memory of her late father Stephen, who died of a brain tumour in 2022.
The meaning of Red Nose Day
While we all know and love the comic sketches from Red Nose Day, many do not know why we actually wear them.
Read below to find out what the concept behind it is.
Comic Relief Arctic adventure raises £630,000
One of the most daring challenges in Comic Relief history saw the likes of Alex Scott and Vicky Pattison take to the Arctic to raise money.
Facing -20C in temperatures, it looked to be truly terrifying – but all participants will feel it is worth it after it was revealed more than £600,000 was raised.
What’s in store for tonight?
One of the most eagerly anticipated events tonight will be the spoof take on the hit TV show The Traitors.
Featuring Jonathan Bailey, Catherine Tate and Sally Phillips, fans of the tense programme will be eagerly anticipating when it hits the screen.
Who could replace Lenny?
Following his decision to step down, much has been made of who might replace the legendary presenter.
Speaking about his departure from the lime lite, Sir Lenny said: ‘As Life President of Comic Relief, I’m excited to see some new and familiar faces come forward now to present the big night and lead us into the next chapter.’
Sir Lenny admitted that the Comic Relief baton needs to be ‘handed on to a new group of people who are going to take on Comic Relief’ and alluded to a number of stars who could take over.
Mo Farah makes a surprise appearance
This year is a special one…
Sir Lenny Henry was left emotional as he described his 39-years as host of Comic Relief as an ‘honour and a privilege’ while presenting the show for a final time on Friday night.
The 65-year-old was honoured with a tribute from McFly as they sang their 2005 Red Nose Day single It’s All About You, before it was revealed Sir Lenny had helped raise £1.5B since his first telethon in 1988.
Joined by co-hosts Davina McCall and David Tennant he said: ‘It’s been an honour and a joy and despite what McFly say it’s not all about me, it’s about, it’s about the mirth and the money and comedy and compassion’.
The history of Red Nose Day
Since 1988, March has been synonymous with Red Nose Day, a joyful fundraising effort raising millions to fight poverty around the world.
The slogan of the campaign, which was created by Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry’s first Comic Relief, is ‘Do something funny for money.’
Several celebs have taken part in the Red Nose Day charity appeal over the years, taking on all types of challenges to raise funds, such as Emma Willis, Oti Mabuse and Rylan Clark, who reached the summit of Cairn Gorm Mountain to fundraise for the event.
Others have also taken part in Red Nose Days specials of popular movies or shows, like Red Nose Day Actually, which reunited the original cast of Love Actually in 2007, and One Red Nose Day and a Wedding in 2019, after the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Hello and welcome!
Red Nose Day returns to our screens tonight with millions of people expected to take part through various challenges and donation appeals.
The crux of the campaign is a telethon broadcast live on the BBC to appeal for funds, with high profile celebrities taking part to raise millions.
Money raised from the Red Nose Day appeal will help charity Comic Relief support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems and food poverty.
Join us here for news and updates now and throughout the BBC One broadcast.
Share or comment on this article:
Comic Relief 2024 LIVE: Sir Lenny Henry kicks off FINAL Red Nose Day
