Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day 2026: All the sketches, stars, special performances and how to watch

A host of beloved British stars, including Sir Idris Elba, TV presenter Alison Hammond, and comedian Katherine Ryan, are set to feature in a series of sketches for this year’s Red Nose Day charity appeal.

The BBC’s Comic Relief: Funny For Money show, airing live on Friday, promises an evening packed with performances, comedic skits, and celebrity appearances, all in aid of a good cause.

The fundraising spectacular will be fronted by Davina McCall, who will be joined by Ryan, alongside fellow comedians Nick Mohammed, Joel Dommett, and Catherine Tate. Viewers can anticipate a variety of original segments, designed to entertain while highlighting the vital work of Comic Relief.

Among the highlights is “The Bank Job,” a sketch starring Sir Idris Elba alongside a star-studded crew including Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, and comedian Chris McCausland, as they attempt a daring heist to raise funds.

Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond in The Bank Job sketch for Comic Relief 2026 (BBC/Comic Relief/Daniel Loveday/PA Wire)Another much-anticipated segment, “The Traitors: The Movie – The Sequel,” will see actors and comedians parody the hit BBC reality series. Anna Friel steps into the role of presenter Claudia Winkleman, with Vicky Pattison and Iain Stirling portraying series winners Rachel and Stephen. Fleur East, Lewis Cope, and Alison Steadman are also set to join the roundtable.

Further comedic offerings include “Withering Heights,” a parody of the recent Wuthering Heights film adaptation, featuring Katherine Ryan and Jon Richardson’s “audition tapes” for Cathy and Heathcliff.

Katherine Ryan and Jon Richardson in ‘Withering Heights’ parody sketch from Comic Relief 2026 (BBC/Comic Relief/PA Wire)An Amandaland-inspired sketch will see Lucy Punch and Philippa Dunne arrive for an interview with BBC Radio 2’s Sara Cox, only to encounter a host of famous Amandas, including Amanda Holden, Amanda Barrie, and The Traitors’ Amanda Collier.

Throughout the evening, a series of appeal films, including one presented by Welsh actor Michael Sheen, will remind audiences of Red Nose Day’s mission and how donations support individuals and communities both in the UK and internationally.

Viewers can also expect an update on Radio 1’s Greg James who is undertaking an epic 1,000km tandem cycle across the UK, from Weymouth to Edinburgh, concluding on Red Nose Day, to raise money for the charity.

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Comic Relief: Funny For Money will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7pm on Friday. For the first time, the event will also be livestreamed on the official BBC YouTube channel.