Alison Hammond, Big Zuu, Catherine Tate as ‘Nan’, Davina McCall, Dermot O’Leary, Jodie Whittaker, Joe Lycett, Joe Marler, Jill Scott, Miranda Hart, Nick Mohammed, and Tia Kofi are among the stars of comedy and entertainment coming together to officially launch Red Nose Day today.
This year, Red Nose Day is tapping into one of the things Brits do best – having a laugh at their own expense and happily being the punchline of jokes to bring a smile to others. It’s all about the nation harnessing the typically British love of self-deprecating humour to come together, have a laugh at themselves and raise life-changing money to support people with the vital support and basic essentials they need to survive – food, shelter and safety – on Friday 20 March.
To kick things off, the nation’s favourite hundy Joe Marler has teamed up with former Lioness and Queen of the Jungle, Jill Scott, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World series 2 winner, Tia Kofi in a new, farcical Comic Relief film. Available to watch on YouTube now, the short film sees the trio making true rear-ends of themselves with panto horses, tiny bikes, costumes, wigs and make-up aplenty.
Joe Marler said: “I absolutely love the theme of this year’s Red Nose Day – I couldn’t agree more that we all just need to have a good laugh, and why not let it be at our own expense? Never did I think a drag queen could make me look so bloomin’ gorgeous. So come on, do something daft with me and help raise lots of lovely money.”
Samir Patel, Comic Relief CEO, said: “Red Nose Day has always been about bringing people together through the wonderful British sense of humour and showing that joy and laughter can inspire incredible moments of care and compassion. For millions of people, the foundations that should be guaranteed in life are no longer there. Increasingly more and more people in our local neighbourhoods and across the world are suffering hunger, homelessness and harm. We’ve reached a critical point in society, and it just can’t go on like this anymore. This Red Nose Day is the chance to come together, take yourself funny for money and turn a day of silliness and having a much needed laugh into something that makes a world of difference. Funds raised this year will specifically help people get the basic essentials they need to survive – food to eat, a safe place to sleep, a life free from fear and harm.”
Getting in the spirit of taking themselves funny for money this Red Nose Day, Big Zuu, Davina McCall, La Voix and Miranda Hart have given their blessing to Comic Relief to take their public embarrassment to new and extreme heights. More will be revealed at 7:30pm this evening!
On Friday 20 March, the Red Nose Day night of TV on the BBC will bring the nation together for an unmissable fun-filled evening of comedy, live performances, amazing prizes and must-see sketches. Rolling out the red carpet for viewers will be presenting royalty Davina McCall who will be joined by comedy icons Joel Dommett, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed and, in a Red Nose Day first, Catherine Tate – who will appear as her legendary character ‘Nan’ from The Catherine Tate Show. Plus, more names to be announced.
With a host of new and exclusive sketches set to be announced in the lead up to the Red Nose Day night of TV, Comic Relief is excited to today reveal first details of The Bank Job. Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary are the first members of a star-studded cast to be announced in this heist to end all heists. Who will stay on the right side of the law? Who will put their (questionable!) intelligence, strategic prowess and artful deftness to the test in a bid to become 2026’s most-wanted bank robber? More will be revealed soon!
The big night of TV will air on BBC One and iPlayer from 7pm, live from MediaCity UK in Salford.
Jodie Whittaker said: “I think we are in a very turbulent time, and I think that what is always so important to remember, is that every single person can do something. It doesn’t matter the size, and it doesn’t matter how grand or how small, but if every single person on Red Nose Day does one little thing to contribute to their community, their society, donate a pound, donate twenty pounds – that little goes such a long way. I think that that’s such a wonderful thing for us all to feel a part of one gigantic family, where in this time particularly it can feel a little bit broken. I think things like Comic Relief just feel like we’re all uniting and aiming for the same wonderful outcome which is to raise loads of money for really good causes. And, the best bit, it makes you laugh when you do it.”
Also revealed today is this year’s new Red Nose collection featuring the first-ever Design-Yer Nose, a blank canvas Nose that allows people to use their imagination and creativity to design a Nose that is uniquely their own while spreading humour, kindness and compassion. The Nose is available now on Amazon, the official home of the Red Nose. The collection also includes an exclusive collaboration with world famous artist Mr Doodle who has created five doodle Nose designs, in addition to the classic Red Nose. Mr Doodle has also designed a limited-edition bucket hat and pin badge in his iconic style, with all these must-have items available to buy on Amazon, with free, One-Day Delivery for all customers.
A host of stars from the worlds of screen, stage and sport are among the first to get their hands on this year’s Red Nose collection, including: Dianne Buswell, Ellie Goldstein, Ellie Taylor, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Iain Stirling, Jodie Whittaker, Joe Lycett, Joe Sugg, Montell Douglas, Natalie Cassidy, Nish Kumar, Phil Wang, Rickie Haywood-Williams and Rosie Jones.
Mr Doodle said: “I’ve always believed that drawing should be fun, playful and something that makes you feel good, so it’s been amazing to partner with Comic Relief this Red Nose Day and design my own range of doodled Noses – and I can’t wait to see all the different ways people get creative with their own Design-Yer Noses too. There’s something really special about turning art into something that can genuinely help people, and the best bit is anyone can do it. So grab your Nose from Amazon and get doodling!”
Rosie Jones said: “I love Red Nose Day because it proves that being silly can make a serious difference and it brings people together through laughter in so many ways. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to experience it all with Comic Relief – the fun, the daftness, the creativity, and seeing how much it helps to change lives. This year’s Design-Yer Nose is all those things rolled into one – how could I resist?”
John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager of Amazon, said: “Red Nose Day brings the whole country together for an incredible cause, and we’re enormously proud to support Comic Relief in our fourth year as the official Home of the Red Nose. Every Nose purchased makes a real difference, and we’re looking forward to joining people across the UK in raising vital funds. We will be designing and wearing our Red Noses with pride.”
TK Maxx and Comic Relief have teamed up with Disney Winnie The Pooh to bring a new range of T-shirts, totes, mugs, bag charms and more featuring best friends Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. This collection, full of kindness and friendship, will support Comic Relief to help change the lives of children and young people in the UK and around the world. Shop now in TK Maxx stores and online at tkmaxx.com and comicrelief.com/shop.
There are a host of ways to get involved and fundraise this Red Nose Day. Whether it’s wearing a silly costume on the morning commute, creating a self-portrait in bake form, sharing your best worst photo on Instagram, or buying a Nose or t-shirt – there’s a way for everyone to Take Yourself Funny for Money and become the nation’s punchline.
Money raised this Red Nose Day will help people access food, shelter and safety – the essentials everyone needs to survive, here in the UK and around the world.
Red Nose Day 2026 takes place on Friday 20 March.
