Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day is back tonight, with a host of famous coming together to raise funds for some vital causes. The latest edition of the annual telethon will see Joel Dommett take on host duties as some of the biggest names in entertainment make viewers laugh while supporting those in need.
According to its website, Comic Relief has helped to support 11.7m people at home and abroad over a two-year period. In the UK, the charity has helped people in poverty access advice and support, and helped those who have experienced or are at risk of domestic abuse to access safe accommodation and specialist services.
This year, Comic Relief is tackling poverty around the world by focusing its attention on three areas: alleviating poverty’s consequences, tackling the injustices that keep people in poverty, and standing with those in poverty who are most harmed by climate change. Funds raised will go towards causes including helping people impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and aiding those affected by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Each year, Red Nose Day is supported by some of the biggest names in entertainment, but it was also founded by some pretty big names, too. So, who created Red Nose Day and when did Comic Relief start?
Who created Red Nose Day and when did Comic Relief start?
Comic Relief has been running for more than 35 years. It was founded in 1985 by comedian Lenny Henry and Richard Curtis, the writer-director best known for Four Weddings and a Funeral and Love Actually.
The charity was launched on BBC One on Christmas day live from a refugee camp in Sudan, and the first live fund-raising show was held the following year. Titled Comic Relief Utterly Utterly Live, the fundraiser was held at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre and took place across three days in April 1986.
Discover, learn, grow. We are Curiously. Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
It saw performances from entertainers including Rowan Atkinson, Billy Connolly, Kate Bush and Cliff Richard. But it was not until 1988 that the first live telethon took place, with Lenny Henry visiting Ethiopia in support of the inaugural Red Nose Day.
At home, more than 150 celebrities took part in the show, with more than 30m people tuning in to watch segments including Blackadder: The Cavalier Years and The Young Ones on University Challenge. The following year’s Red Nose Day saw donations increase by more than £10m.
Since its inception, Comic Relief has raised more than £1bn for a range of vital causes around the world. Its donations have helped educate people in Africa about HIV and AIDS and taught women to read.
It has also helped street children from countries including Bangladesh and Brazil and supported communities affected by terrible conflict and natural disasters.
Comic Relief Red Nose Day airs on March 17 from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
READ NEXT:
'Scared' Molly-Mae Hague told 'don't do it' before date night is 'crashed' with Tommy Fury
- Brooke Vincent looks stunning as she shows off glam new look and shares reality saying 'God loves a trier'
- Nicola Peltz Beckham shares desire to 'have a baby and get right back to work' - and readdresses Victoria Beckham 'feud'
- Kate Garraway shares the last holiday she had with husband Derek and conversation they had before Covid battle
- ITV Love Island fans make same comment as Will Young takes Jessie Wynter to his farm
