Comic Relief
From getting sexy with Cilla to nearly slipping a disc: Lenny Henry’s best Comic Relief moments
It’s the comedian’s final night as host of the TV telethon. As he hangs up his red nose for the last time, here are his most joyful highlights from 36 years of freestyle fundraising
Jack Seale
15, Mar, 2024 @5:00 PM
Sir Lenny Henry to host Comic Relief for final time this year
After 39 years, the charity’s co-founder steps down as presenter to allow ‘new and familiar faces’ to take the role
Alexi Duggins
31, Jan, 2024 @11:02 AM
Richard Curtis’s Christmas Actually raises the ghost of ropey light-entertainment past
Festive variety show hosts Sanjeev Bhaskar and Jayde Adams are stodgier than Christmas dinner, with all the chemistry of a broken Bunsen burner
Brian Logan
10, Dec, 2023 @11:39 AM
Comic Relief raises over £34m as stars parody The Traitors and Eurovision
Hosts of BBC fundraiser include AJ Odudu and Paddy McGuinness but Lenny Henry is absent for first time
Tobi Thomas
18, Mar, 2023 @11:38 AM
TV Tonight: a detective moves to Dublin to investigate her own daughter’s death
Paula Malcomson leads brilliant six-parter Redemption. Plus, Comic Relief 2023. Here’s what to watch this evening
Hollie Richardson, Ellen E Jones, Hannah Verdier, Phil Harrison and Simon Wardell
17, Mar, 2023 @6:20 AM
Miranda Hart: ‘My preshow rituals? A banana and a poo’
The comedian on getting permission to be silly from Eric Morecambe, meeting the Spice Girls and how Comic Relief brings people together
Interview by Liam Pape
02, Mar, 2023 @10:28 AM
TV tonight: Kaley Cuoco stars in The Flight Attendant
The Big Bang Theory star heads up this new flashy thriller. Plus: Comic Relief rolls out the big names for charity. Here’s what to watch this evening
Ammar Kalia, Ali Catterall, Jack Seale, Phil Harrison and Simon Wardell
19, Mar, 2021 @6:20 AM
Comic Relief stops sending celebrities to African countries
Move follows criticism that its promotional films reinforced ‘white saviour’ stereotypes
Jim Waterson
27, Oct, 2020 @10:01 PM
The Big Night In review – telethon triumphs over the lockdown
BBC One’s star-filled charity appeal needed imagination and technical skill to get round distancing rules
Lucy Mangan
23, Apr, 2020 @10:30 PM
The Vicar of Dibley is back – but is it the TV we need right now?
The sitcom is returning an upcoming telethon, so we will soon find out if Dibley is a) as comforting as ever, and b) ready for Zoom parish council meetings
21, Apr, 2020 @12:39 PM
Lenny Henry: 'I wish somebody had taught me how to defend myself'
The comedian’s childhood was defined by racist abuse and his mother’s violence. As he publishes his autobiography, he talks about how it shaped him as a performer and activist
Lanre Bakare
21, Oct, 2019 @5:00 AM
Stacey Dooley: ‘Some people don't understand why I'm on TV. But I deserve to be there’
Her critics say she is too emotional, has too many rough edges, even plays the ‘white saviour’. But the TV journalist gets the stories and is ratings dynamite
Simon Hattenstone
29, Jul, 2019 @8:26 AM
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