Published: 12:01 am, 10 March 2026

The biggest night of comedy, entertainment, and spectacular fundraising in television is almost here as Red Nose Day returns. Comic Relief: Funny for Money is live from MediaCityUK in Salford on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Friday 20 March from 7pm, and for the very first time, live streamed simultaneously on the official BBC YouTube channel.

Comic Relief: Funny for Money

This year's show is set to be as fun-filled and energy-packed as ever, with an evening of live performances, amazing prizes, surprise cameos, and must-see sketches lined up, all to raise vital funds to help people access food, shelter and safety - the essentials everyone needs to survive, here in the UK and around the world.

Red Nose Day presenting royalty Davina McCall will front the full evening of entertainment, joined by comedy heavy-hitters like Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Joel Dommett, and Catherine Tate (as Nan from The Catherine Tate Show).

Expect to see unmissable moments and surprises, along with a cackling collection of side-splitting sketches like 'The Bank Job', starring Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, and others featuring some of the BBC's biggest shows, including The Traitors, and Amandaland, with more to be revealed soon!

Comic Relief: Funny for Money will be the most accessible Red Nose Day big night of TV to date! An Audio Description (AD) of the show will be available on BBC One by selecting the AD button on TV remotes, via selecting the "Audio Described" category on iPlayer or by toggling the speech bubble icon, plus it will also be available to audiences via Freeview, Sky, and Virgin Media. Signing will also be available via the Red Button and on iPlayer.

Comic Relief: Funny for Money is made by BBC Studios Entertainment Productions for the BBC, commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producers for BBC Studios are Sophie Rogers and Colin Hopkins. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Katie Taylor.

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Special programmes

Comic Relief Does The Weakest Link

At 10pm the funny will continue on BBC Two, as Romesh Ranganathan hosts a very special episode of Comic Relief Does The Weakest Link. The gloves are off in this late-night version of the iconic quiz show for Comic Relief and nobody is safe from Romesh or their fellow players. Facing questions will be six comedians all hoping to avoid the walk of shame. Who will beat their rivals to be crowned the champion and take home the trophy?

Comic Relief: More Funny For Money / Comic Relief's Hits and Hidden Gems at the BBC

Saturday 21 March will see a special highlights show from the big night of TV, Comic Relief: More Funny For Money, air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. There will also be a brand-new compilation, Comic Relief's Hits and Hidden Gems at the BBC, with much-loved performances from artists including Adele, One Direction and The Spice Girls, sitting alongside rarely-seen gems from Sam Smith and John Legend, Helen Mirren and Robbie Coltrane - and Alan Partridge channelling Kate Bush. It's a collection of iconic musical moments showcasing Red Nose Day's rich archive, and airs on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two.

The One Show

On Thursday 19 March, The One Show will be helping to get the nation ready for Comic Relief's big day. There'll be an exclusive preview of the biggest sketches and studio moments, including a behind the scenes trip to Amandaland and a live look at how rehearsals are going in Salford. Plus, they'll be cheering on BBC Radio 1's Greg James at the finish line of the penultimate leg of his epic Longest Ride for Red Nose Day.

Red Peter: Red Nose Day Takeover!

On Friday 20 March, Blue Peter becomes Red Peter, as they join in the Red Nose Day fun in a special episode. As well as turning red, the stars of Gladiators Epic Pranks and CBBC's Saturday Mash Up join for a last to laugh challenge, and Joel takes himself funny for money as he attempts springboard diving.

Radio 1's Longest Ride with Greg James

This March, Radio 1's Greg James will take on his toughest challenge yet - an epic 1,000km endurance tandem cycle across the UK to raise life-changing funds for Red Nose Day. Setting off from Weymouth on Friday 13 March, Greg will spend eight relentless days pushing himself to the limit, riding through England and Wales before crossing the finish line in Edinburgh on Friday 20 March. Spending up to eight hours a day in the saddle, the challenge marks his third for Comic Relief, making it a hattrick of challenges despite previously insisting he had hung up his cycle helmet for good after completing five triathlons in five days in 2016, and Pedal to the Peaks challenge in 2018, where he cycled and climbed Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis.

Broadcast live throughout the week on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Sounds, with daily weekday coverage on BBC Morning Live, plus weekend coverage on BBC Radio 2, and across social media, the journey will see Greg joined by Radio 1 presenters, special guests and even one lucky listener along the route - with plenty of encouragement, surprises and support as he clocks up huge distances. Greg's ride will be live-tracked, encouraging local communities, schools and workplaces to come out and cheer him on as makes his way across the country. Passing through cities, towns and villages where Comic Relief-funded partners provide essential support, the challenge will highlight the impact of the funds raised - helping to provide food, safe shelter and protection for people facing hardship in the UK and around the world.

The Creator Band for Red Nose Day

This Red Nose Day, four of the UK's most exciting digital creators are swapping ring lights for stage lights as they take on a challenge that hits all the right notes. For the first time ever, Ayame, Sarel, Victor Kunda and Specs Gonzalez are coming together to form a real band, stepping far outside their comfort zones and straight into the spotlight for a live performance on the Red Nose Day night of TV.

This unlikely group will rehearse, harmonise and hilariously try to stay in time as they prepare for their one-night-only debut. Fans won't miss a moment thanks to a special Comic Relief YouTube series - allowing them to follow, support and donate along the way. Expect vocal coaching, choreography bootcamp and more than a few moments where they wonder if they've bitten off more than they can sing. With some very special cameo guests dropping in along the way, their journey will be packed with honest highs, lows and plenty of laughter.

Q&A with the Comic Relief Presenters

Davina McCall

You've presented the Red Nose Day night of TV a few times now, what is it that keeps you coming back for more?

Comic Relief is in my DNA. I know the charity, I know how they work, and I know how much they care. What I love is that all the money raised will help people with the essentials that matter most - food, a place to sleep, and feeling safe. It's a really, really good charity.

Why is Comic Relief so special, what impact do you hope it has?

Comic Relief is special because it makes you laugh and cry in equal measure, and you can feel all the feels, get properly entertained, laugh hard, but also make a real difference in the real world.

Describe Comic Relief and the night of TV to someone who has never watched it before?

The night of TV is a telethon where you will watch some of the best comedians in the UK, and indeed from around the world, take part and do sketches and make everyone laugh, but that will be sprinkled with incredibly heartfelt appeal films and some quite hard to listen to facts and stats which will make you want to dig deep into your pockets and donate what you're able to.

You'll be presenting the show along with a star-studded line up of comedians, have you met any of them before and what will this dynamic be like on the night?

What's so nice is that I'm hosting with Joel Dommett, and Joel's actually one of my best friends! So, it's so nice to be presenting with him. Knowing that I'm with him whilst also presenting with Nan (Catherine Tate) is very reassuring, because actually, I am mildly terrified of Nan if I'm honest! How I'm going to stop her from swearing, I just don't know! Obviously "please do not swear" was my catchphrase - so I'm going to have to stay on my toes. Katherine Ryan, I love. I mean, Nick Mohammed, I was obsessed with Ted Lasso so I'm so excited about working with him. It's going to be an amazing, amazing night.

What can we expect to see from the show this year? Any surprises you can tease?

Yes, lots of surprises this year and some very funny sketches. We've got 'The Bank Job' which is a sketch with Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary that will be really funny. Basically, they have an utterly brilliant idea to raise massive amounts of money in a really quick, silly way - they're going to hold up a bank! That's going to be absolutely hilarious. There are loads of other fun things around the corner as well.

How does this year's theme of 'Take Yourself Funny for Money' resonate with you?

Take Yourself Funny for Money this year is all about how we as a nation are brilliant at self-deprecation. I don't know any other nation to be so good at making fun of themselves, and we need to really celebrate that in dark times. Let's celebrate something that we are really brilliant at, and all behave totally ridiculously.

In the theme of Brits self-deprecating humour and being the punchline of a joke, can you tell us about a time when you have been the butt of a joke?

Okay, I've got quite a good story to tell you. I was outside a hotel the other night having a lovely chat with the doorman, and two girls walked past and they went, 'Oh my gosh, it's you!', and I got a bit kind of cocky and I was like, 'oh, hi girls!', and one of them asked for a photo and her friend looked a bit confused. Then the girl whispered in my ear, 'she doesn't know who you are' and then said 'my mum loves The Traitors'. I tell you what I should do on the night, I should come dressed as Claudia (Winkleman)! It happens to Claudia all the time as well, which is hilarious.

If you could build your dream sketch, what would it be - who would be in it?

I'd have George Clooney, Kate Bush, and Michelle Obama in it. And funnier people than me would have to come up with the story! But that's what I want and I'm putting it out there to the universe. Make it happen.

Give us your best 'worst joke'!

What do you call a sheep with no legs? A cloud.

Joel Dommett

You've presented the Red Nose Day night of TV a few times now, what is it that keeps you coming back for more?

I LOVE IT! It's so much fun presenting a legendary show with my friends while raising money for amazing causes.

Why is Comic Relief so special, what impact do you hope it has?

It's as important as it's always been. Not just for the people who receive the money - but for the morale of our great weird little country. It's a night that brings everyone together to help people less fortunate than you - while having a bit of a laugh!

Describe Comic Relief and the night of TV to someone who has never watched it before?

It's funny for money. Charity for chuckles. Dad jokes for dosh - and any other alliterative rhyme-y things you can think of. It's a fun night that celebrates people coming together to try to make the world a bit better for people.

You'll be presenting the show along with a star-studded line up of comedians, have you met any of them before what will this dynamic be like on the night?

Yes! Comedy is a pretty small world really, so I know and admire all of them. Catherine Tate has been amazing to work with, and I can't wait for everyone to see what's in store. Nick is a GENIUS. I love him so much, such a funny guy with a brilliant comedy brain. I have known Katherine for almost 20 years, and she is absolutely one of the best standup comedians we have in this country (even though we technically stole her from Canada). It feels like a really different bunch this year - it's going to be mega.

What can we expect to see from the show this year? Any surprises you can tease?

Well, all I can tell you is that me and Catherine Tate (as Nan) are planning one of the best openings to Comic Relief EVER.

How does this year's theme of 'Take Yourself Funny for Money' resonate with you?

I understand the sentiment and essentially it means - be less serious and make some serious cash for a serious cause! That's actually a pretty good theme for next year. You're welcome Comic Relief!

In the theme of Brits self-deprecating humour and being the punchline of a joke, can you tell us about a time when you have been the butt of a joke?

My wife once said to me at the airport that a man behind me wanted a photo with me. I went up to him and said, 'would you like a photo with me?' He paused then said, 'yes'. I looked around and my wife was laughing so hard. Maybe the most I've ever seen her laugh. I asked why she was laughing and she said, 'he didn't want a photo I was just bored and thought it would be funny'. It looked like I was just going up to random people in the airport and asking for photos.

How are you preparing for the big night, do you have any backstage rituals?

I'm so boring. I'll have a last read of my script, check my fly is done up and go on stage. That's why this job is so interesting, you get to see the process of so many other presenters and comedians. It's cool.

Give us your best 'worst joke'!

Why are DJs so persistent? They don't techno for an answer.

Nan (Catherine Tate)

How does this year's theme of 'Take Yourself Funny for Money' resonate with you?

It doesn't. Largely because I don't understand the question.

In the theme of Brits self-deprecating humour and being the punchline of a joke, can you tell us about a time when you have been the butt of a joke?

Nope coz It's never happened.

If you could build your dream sketch, what would it be - who would be in it?

Me, those two boys off of Oasis and whoever it is that does The One Show.

Will you be on your best behaviour backstage, or should the other presenters be nervous?

No I won't and yes they should.

Fundraising can involve all sorts of challenges - what's the most effort you've personally ever put into anything?

Answering these s**t a**e questions.

Nick Mohammed

This is your first time presenting the Red Nose Day night of TV, what made you say yes?

I've always adored Comic Relief, and so to get to be a part of it this year felt like too good an opportunity to miss - especially off the back of betraying Joe Marler in front of the nation in 2025!

Why is Comic Relief so special, what impact do you hope it has?

Comic Relief has undoubtedly made a huge impact and it's something we can all be super proud of. Now that it enters its fourth decade - hard relate! - it feels great to be keeping that wonderful tradition going and hopefully even upping the ante a bit.

Katherine Ryan

This is your first time presenting the Red Nose Day night of TV, what made you say yes?

I want to be more like Joel Dommett in every way.

Why is Comic Relief so special, what impact do you hope it has?

It's an important charity and a comedy institution. There's less and less *event television* and I love people coming together to be entertained for a good cause.

Describe Comic Relief and the night of TV to someone who has never watched it before?

It evolves every year but it's live, unpredictable comedy and surprises alongside fundraising and heartwarming stories.

You'll be presenting the show along with a star-studded line up of comedians, have you met any of them before what will this dynamic be like on the night?

Yes, I've known all of them for years and I love them. Comedians are a lovely little community, and we have a great dynamic.

How does this year's theme of 'Take Yourself Funny for Money' resonate with you?

It's great to be silly and to have a sense of humour about yourself. In addition to raising money for Comic Relief, I think this year's theme will help people feel lighter and more confident.

In the theme of Brits self-deprecating humour and being the punchline of a joke, can you tell us about a time when you have been the butt of a joke?

Last week I went to a lingerie brand launch in my pants cause I thought everybody else was doing it too, but they had proper clothes on!

If you could build your dream sketch, what would it be - who would be in it?

I like comedy sketches that satirize pop culture more than the heavy political landscape. I would populate it with Ariana Grande, Dolly Parton, James Acaster. You know, 'the gang'!

How are you preparing for the big night, do you have any backstage rituals?

I drink a lot of water!

Give us your best 'worst joke'!

What kind of stolen cheese is that? It's nacho cheese.

Donations

This Red Nose Day there are a host of ways to get involved and Take Yourself Funny for Money. Whether it is donating or fundraising, it is an opportunity for the nation to come together and show that simple acts of silliness can make a serious difference. For more information on how to get involved, donate, or to order your free Red Nose Day fundraising pack, Red Nose Day website.

Where the money goes

For millions of people, the foundations that should be guaranteed in life are no longer there, and in the UK and across the world people are suffering hunger, homelessness and harm. This Red Nose Day, money raised will help people access food, shelter and safety- the vital essentials everyone needs to survive.

During the Red Nose Day Night of TV, a number of appeal films will show viewers how donations to Comic Relief could help, and have helped, people access the things every life depends on. The films will feature a range of personal stories, made up of people in neighbourhoods and communities across the country and around the world, who are supported by Comic Relief funded projects.

Samir Patel, Comic Relief CEO, says: "In what feels like an ever complicated and overwhelming world, we know that life for too many people is no longer certain - it is unsafe. Food, shelter and safety are essentials that everyone needs to survive, but for millions of people in the UK and around the world, they are increasingly out of reach. This Red Nose Day, this is our chance to help change that. We can show that serious problems can be tackled by a nation that isn't afraid to be a little silly for a serious cause. Together with your kindness and generosity, we can put food on tables, roofs over heads and bring safety to those facing the scariest times of their lives."

Red Nose Day merchandise

This year's Red Nose Day merchandise collection features the first-ever blank canvas Nose - the Design-Yer Nose - which allows adults and kids alike to use their imagination and creativity to design a Nose that is uniquely their own while spreading humour and kick-starting their Red Nose Day fundraising. The range also features an exclusive collaboration with the incredibly talented artist Mr Doodle, who has created five doodle Nose designs - two of which can be found in each Collector Pack, alongside two Design-Yer Noses and a classic Red Nose. The Noses are available to buy on Amazon, the official home of the Red Nose, as well as the Comic Relief online shop.

Inspired by much loved stories about the importance of friendship and kindness, TK Maxx and Comic Relief have partnered with Disney Winnie-the-Pooh for an exclusive T-shirt collection featuring designs of beloved characters from the Hundred Acre Wood, including Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. The T-shirt collection, totes, mugs and more are available to buy in TK Maxx stores and online.

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