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Red Nose Day returns on Friday 15th March with a host of comedians and celebrities signed up to show their support and raise vital funds for this year’s campaign.
Labour meets Love Island as Ed Balls, Dani Dyer and Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock come together with TV hosts Dan Walker, Alexander Armstrong, Anita Rani, NFL sports pundit Osi Umenyiora and Strictly star Shirley Ballas
A teaser image of the upcoming One Red Nose Day and a Wedding has been revealed
Russell Howard is the latest comedian announced for the upcoming ‘Spectacular’ gig at The SSE Arena, Wembley
Comic Relief Does The Apprentice makes a return for 2019
Red Nose Day is back with a bang as a brand-new group of nine celebrities are set to take on Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Comic Relief. Kilimanjaro: The Return takes place ten years after the original epic climb that was led by Gary Barlow. The challenge will be filmed for a special one-hour doc to air on BBC One in the run up to Red Nose Day.
The immense 19,000ft challenge up Africa’s highest mountain kicks off in February and the group includes Pointless host Alexander Armstrong, Countryfile host Anita Rani, BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, former MP Ed Balls, Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, NFL sports pundit Osi Umenyiora and Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Shirley Ballas.
Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne commented: “It’s so amazing to be part of this challenge for Comic Relief. I can’t wait to get to the top of Kilimanjaro and knowing that we are doing it for Comic Relief makes it incredibly special.”
Whilst Jade explained her reasons for the climb: “Leigh-Anne and I went to Liberia in 2014 for Red Nose Day and we have seen first-hand how much work this incredible charity does and how much it is needed. The nerves are certainly starting to kick in for the climb, but I’m lucky I will have Leigh-Anne up there with me and I can’t wait to get stuck in with everyone!”
Following in the footsteps of the likes of Chris Moyles, Fearne Cotton and Cheryl who took part in the 2009 climb - the intrepid team will face a gruelling eight-day trek battling altitude sickness, basic camping conditions and freezing night-time temperatures – taking them to their physical and mental limits - all to raise money for Red Nose Day.
Ed Balls said: “It’s an amazing group of climbers, I’m especially looking forward to dancing up the mountain with Shirley Ballas. My whole family are beyond excited that Jade and Leigh-Anne of Little Mix will be scaling Africa’s highest mountain too.”
Dani Dyer added: “I can’t believe I’m really climbing Kilimanjaro! Comic Relief means so much to me and my family, and the money they raise does so much good, so I’m thrilled to be involved. It doesn’t feel real yet, but I’m excited to put my backpack on and get going.”
The line-up for Kilimanjaro: The Return is announced today to mark the launch of Red Nose Day 2019, with loads more sketches, challenges and celebrities in store leading up to the big night which will be broadcast live on Friday 15th March beginning at 7pm on BBC One.
An exclusive sneak peek image of the much anticipated One Red Nose Day and a Wedding has also been released, teasing excitement ahead of the premiere on Red Nose Day. The short film reunites the cast of Four Weddings and a Funeral 25 years on and will be one of the highlights of a fun-packed night of TV.
There will be a whole host of personalities bringing their own comic relief to the night with presenters including Emma Willis, Paddy McGuinness, Alesha Dixon, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett and Sir Lenny Henry confirmed as hosts of the show.
The latter three will be appearing at the one-off ‘Spectacular’ comedy gig in support of Comic Relief which is shaping up to be exactly what it says on the tin. Taking place at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Thursday 28th February, Russell Howard has been added to the line-up and will be sitting on the bill alongside comedy heavyweights Jimmy Carr, John Bishop, Katherine Ryan and Alan Carr. All the profits from ticket sales will go to Comic Relief and can be purchased from Ticketmaster or AXS.
Russell Howard commented: “Gigs like this are great as they help Comic Relief raise vital funds that enable them to help people here in the UK and around the world. Back in 2017, I travelled to Liberia for Red Nose Day where I saw first-hand how Comic Relief cash was making a difference to lives over there - it was such an eye opener; which is why I’m delighted to be joining forces with them again to take part in the first ever Comic Relief Spectacular. So grab your ticket now, for what promises to be an enormous, life-changing night of fun!”
Lord Sugar, Baroness Brady and Claude Littner are making a return to the boardroom alongside a group of celebrities vying to avoid the firing line as Comic Relief Does The Apprentice. Baroness Brady was a contestant in the first edition back in 2007, striding to victory as Project Manager for the girls’ team, and returns in 2019 as one of Lord Sugar’s trusted advisors.
With all of this to look forward to and lots more still to be revealed, it’s easier than ever to get involved in this year’s Red Nose Day. From workplace bake sales and fancy-dress fundraising in schools to quizzes and sponsored challenges, simply do whatever you enjoy to raise cash that goes towards changing countless lives both in the UK and around the world. Oh, and don’t forget you can take part in style by getting geared up with Red Nose Day’s fantastic set of merchandise for 2019.
This year there are eleven new Red Noses to choose from (on sale in Sainsbury’s at £1.25), which you can bring to life for the first time ever by scanning the QR code on the box. You can also snap up a limited-edition Red Nose Day Tee-hee-hee shirt, designed exclusively by Disney and produced by TK Maxx. Featuring well-loved characters including Mickey Mouse and friends, Winnie the Pooh, Bambi and Dumbo, the t-shirts have been modelled by celebrities including Alan Carr, Jimmy Carr, Lottie Moss, Greg James and Katherine Ryan. (Prices start from £6.99, available at TK Maxx stores, tkmaxx.com and comicrelief.com/shop, available from 1st February).
The money raised from the Red Nose Day campaign and merchandise sales help Comic Relief to continue funding and investing in amazing organisations across the UK and around the world.
Visit comicrelief.com/rednoseday or follow @ComicRelief on social media to stay updated on the latest Red Nose Day content, news and information.
ENDS
ABOUT RED NOSE DAY 2019
Red Nose Day is back on Friday 15th March and this year Comic Relief is asking the nation to come together and make a difference to people’s lives both here in the UK and around the world.
It’s easy to get involved and have a great time. From workplace bake sales and fancy-dress fundraising in schools, to danceathons, quizzes and sponsored challenges, put on a Red Nose and do whatever you enjoy to raise life-changing cash.
The campaign culminates in a massive night of comedy and entertainment, live on the BBC, and all the money raised is used to improve countless lives.
Visit comicrelief.com/rednoseday or follow @ComicRelief on social media to stay updated on the latest Red Nose Day content, news and information.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Red Nose Day Media Team:020 7820 2500media@comicrelief.com(opens in new window)Press area07984510473 (out of hours only)
ABOUT COMIC RELIEF
Comic Relief is a UK charity with a simple purpose - to create a just world, free from poverty. Comic Relief does this by funding and investing in amazing organisations across the UK and around the world to tackle some of the key issues of our time. Since 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £1.25 billion. That money has helped, and is helping, to improve countless lives.
For information about Comic Relief and the work it carries out, please visit comicrelief.com.
Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).
