Red Nose Day is back on Friday 15 March 2024. Here's what's happening this year and how to join the thousands of people up and down the country getting involved.
Who will be presenting Comic Relief 2024?
The epic three-hour fundraising favourite will entertain the nation with hilarious sketches, live performances, big surprises and stunning music acts, whilst raising much-needed cash for good causes at home and across the world.
Presenting live from MediaCityUK in Salford, this is the final year Lenny Henry will host the programme. Since founding Comic Relief almost 40 years ago with Richard Curtis, he's helped raise more than £1.5 billion for Comic Relief.
Speaking about his final year presenting, he said: "When we first started Comic Relief back in 1985, I never dreamed we'd still be here today. I thought we'd probably do three shows and that would be it, but fast-forward nearly 40 years, and that enthusiasm and determination to step up and help others has never wavered. "
Lenny will be hosting alongside other famous faces including Joel Dommett, Davina McCall, Paddy McGuiness, Romesh Ranganathan and David Tennant with Maya Jama and Rosie Ramsey making their Red Nose Day Night of TV debut.
The new red noses for 2024
Each year, a new Red Nose design hits the supermarket shelves and this year, there will be four different main designs: Gigglesworth, McChortles, Smirklethorpe, LOL E Pops and a fifth ultra-rare golden nose called The Golden Hooter which people will have a 1 in 166 chance to find.
The new noses will be fully recyclable and plant-based, made from 70% sugarcane and 30% wood pulp with a small amount of food-safe colour dye.
What's on TV for Comic Relief
Comic Relief related programming announced by the BBC includes...
Snow Going Back: Comic Relief vs the Arctic – BBC One, Monday 11th March, 9pm
Sara Davies from Dragon's Den, sports commentator Alex Scott, TV presenter Laura Whitmore and reality star Vicky Pattinson are embarking on an endurance challenge in the Arctic Circle to raise money for Red Nose Day. The four celebrities will be trekking, fat-biking, skiing and cross country to conquer 50km of frozen terrain.
Sara Davies said, "I've always wanted to do something to do my bit,” said Dragon’s Den star Davies.
"Last year I watched the challenge with my kids and my Eldest said 'look at all the money they have raised, why didn't you do it?'. And I had no answer for him so I thought that is it, I am going to do my bit."
Comic Relief: A Whole Lotta Lenny – BBC One, Friday 15th March, 10:40pm
In this hour-long special, Alex Jones and Sir Lenny Henry will be revisiting and reminiscing over some of his greatest moments and memories from his years presenting Comic Relief in a fitting tribute to his contribution to Comic Relief over the years.
Red Peter – CBBC, Friday 15th March, 5pm
One for the older kids as Blue Peter will once again be changing its name to Red Peter for Comic Relief Day for an epic Red Nose Day special.
CBeebies Bedtime Story – CBeebies, Friday 15th March, 6:50pm
Comedian and Actor, Lenny Rush will be reading the iconic and funny children's book, Not Now Bernard by David McKee for this Red Nose Day special.
As well as all the special programming above, there'll be plenty of entertainment on the night including the cast of a famous TV show reuniting to find Sir Lenny’s replacement host, Alan Partridge returning to our airwaves with a very special guest and there’s an all-star line-up in The Traitors: The Movie which we can't wait for.
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders will also be reuniting with a hilarious Red Nose Day message and the cast of Just For One Day, the Live Aid Musical, will perform a special medley and there'll be live appearances from darts sensation Luke Littler, Money maestro Martin Lewis and The Gladiators as well as some other famous faces telling their best jokes!
There's also chances for audiences to win big on the night, with Chris Evans and CarFest already announcing that they will be donating an Aston Martin - the same model as featured in the James Bond film Die Another Day - for one lucky winner to win on the night!
Fundraising ideas
If your little ones are looking for fun ways to raise some money this year, we've put together some creative and fun fundraising ideas they might like to have a go at this year.
• Hold a classic fundraising bake sale – in person, or by taking orders and delivering directly to friends or neighbours. As well as raising some dough, you’ll be adding a sprinkle of joy to their day.
• Make your best day ever red. Donate to dress up or dress down, the only rule is red, red, red.
• Pick a theme and showcase your best fancy-dress at work. Ask everyone to pay to enter, and even source prizes for the best dressed.
• Does your best day ever involve pushing yourself to the limits? Get sponsored to take on an epic challenge, on your own or as a family – think anything from a 24- hour disco-a-thon toskipping a 5K.
• Whatever you’re passionate about - from online gaming to knitting tea cosies - host a fundraising party to bring people together and do what you love. Charge for tickets, and ask for donations.
• Invite your neighbours, friends and family, grab some tasty snacks, line up a game or twoand prepare to play some classic tunes. Then ask for donations on the door and have the best party ever for Red Nose Day!
And of course, you can buy a Red Nose or even a funny Red Nose Day T-Shirt!
What is Comic Relief?
This huge charity event has been taking place for over 30 years and it aims to bring people of the UK together to help those in need. Red Nose Day is where people do something funny for money. You might have also heard of Sport Relief, which is where people do a sporting challenge to raise money.
Thanks to your donations, Comic Relief is able to support amazing projects and organisations who are making a difference for people across the UK and around the world.
All year-round, the money donated to Comic Relief works hard to support some incredible projects making a change to people's lives across the UK and around the world. In fact, over a two year period, Comic Relief funding has helped to support 11.7 million people.
Whether you donate through Red Nose Day, Sport Relief or to Comic Relief at any other time of year, your donations make a very real difference to people in the UK and around the world.
Stephanie Spencer is the Deputy Digital Editor at Mother&Baby and auntie to four aged 8 to 6 months old. With a particular interest in health, she loves discovering products that make parent’s lives easier.