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Blockbuster night of live comedy, music, and star-studded entertainment raises £30,004,040 that will help over 1.3 million people access vital essentials everyone needs to survive – including food, shelter and safety
Leading the charge, Comic Relief co-founder Sir Lenny Henry opened the show with an extra-special message celebrating the nation’s ability to come together for incredible nights like tonight, take themselves funny for money, and change lives
Davina McCall: “The amount raised is just phenomenal, and what matters the most, is the amount of people that it is going to help. Thank you everyone."
Amazing prizes still up for grabs – including tickets to see Harry Styles at Wembley Stadium, a 1957 Speedster car and Family Weekend with Glamping to CarFest 2026. Find out more here
Comic Relief: Funny for Money is available to stream in full now via BBC iPlayer(opens in new window)
There is still time to donate via comicrelief.com/donate(opens in new window)
Images available via BBC Pictures(opens in new window)
Images from the wider campaign available here(opens in new window)
Friday 20 March: Red Nose Day 2026 drew to a spectacular close this evening having so far raised £30,004,040 with money still coming in. The extraordinary fundraising efforts of schools, workplaces and communities across the whole country, has raised millions of pounds that will help over 1.3 million people in the UK and around the world access the vital essentials everyone needs to survive – food to eat, a safe place to sleep, and a life free of fear and harm.
Red Nose Day has always been about the positive power of laughter, and with so much uncertainty across the UK and around the world this year, the need to show how humour can help people cope during difficult times felt greater than ever. Opening the show tonight, Comic Relief co-founder Sir Lenny Henry shared a poignant and upbeat message about the importance of coming together and supporting one another when it’s needed most.
A message from Sir Lenny Henry on the night said: “The truth is, all of us are finding life challenging at the moment…but here’s what’s amazing about us – we know how to come together when it counts. By picking each other up, not picking sides. When it really matters, we stick together and we stick on a Red Nose and joyfully make complete fools of ourselves for money."
He added: “Because behind the wigs, the sketches, the dodgy dad dancing – we know we can make real change. That’s food on someone’s table. A safe place to sleep. Support, protection, hope – the not-funny stuff we all depend on…and that my friends is a definition of a truly United Kingdom. It’s you, yes you, who year after year come together for incredible nights like tonight to be funny, raise money and change lives."
The evening of laughter and entertainment was hosted by Red Nose Day royalty Davina McCall who shared the stage with some of the nation’s favourite comics including Catherine Tate (performing as Nan and Lauren from The Catherine Tate Show), Joel Dommett, Katherine Ryan, and Nick Mohammed. There were unmissable moments throughout, from Joe Marler’s Traitorous surprise for Nick Mohammed, a stand-out stand-up set from Katherine Ryan, Angry Ginge being revealed as the Masked Finger by Joel Dommett, to Nan’s (Catherine Tate) iconic performance of Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’.
Viewers were treated to a host of new and exclusive comedy sketches including ‘Traitors, The Movie. The Sequel’, ‘Amandas-land', ‘A-listers saying no to ‘Nan’’, ‘Withering Heights’, and ‘The Bank Job’. Also on offer were star-studded cameos from the likes of Amanda Holden, Dame Anna Wintour, Daniel Craig, Sir Idris Elba, Julia Roberts and Olivia Dean; musical performances from Calum Scott, Blessing Offor and The Creator Band – Comic Relief’s newest supergroup BUSK, made up of four of the UK’s most exciting digital creators, a sneak peek appearance by the cast of Saturday Night Live UK – and much, much more.
Davina McCall also welcomed a very tyre-d Greg James onto the stage where it was revealed that his mammoth Radio 1 Longest Ride 1,000km tandem bike challenge from Weymouth to Edinburgh had raised a staggering £4,225,939 so far. Throughout the week, Greg truly captured the hearts of the nation, with thousands of people lining the streets to show their support. From children donating their pocket money and school pupils waving homemade signs, to a special flyover from the Red Arrows and a surprise visit from His Royal Highness Prince William, plus special guests Jamie Laing, Joe Lycett, Geraint Thomas and more, the challenge is a powerful celebration of community spirit, and in true Red Nose Day Spirit, a reminder of what can be achieved when people across the UK come together.
Comic Relief: Funny for Money is available to watch in full now on BBC iPlayer(opens in new window), and Jill Scott and La Voix will host a special highlights show, Comic Relief: More Funny for Money, Sunday 22 March at 4:35pm, BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
Davina McCall said: “Oh my goodness what a night! What just happened?! I don’t know if I’ll ever get over Nan! I think it’s now one of my favourite ever Red Nose Day moments, so thanks for that Nan.
“Being part of Red Nose Day really is the biggest honour, and I so look forward to it every year. What makes it so unbelievably special is all of you at home watching, joining in, wearing your lovely Red Noses, and of course, donating. The amount raised is just phenomenal, and what matters the most, is the amount of people that it’s going to help. Thank you everyone."
The money raised this Red Nose Day will help people access food, shelter and safety– the vital essentials everyone needs to survive. During the night, viewers were reminded just how crucial their support is with a series of films shining a light on the stories of people, projects and communities who are putting donations that are raised by nights like Red Nose Day to use, every single day.
One of the films featured Adjoa Andoh, Helen George and Suranne Jones reading the real words that survivors of domestic abuse have agreed to share. The women first sought help via the National Domestic Abuse Helpline – which Comic Relief helped to establish in 2003. Meanwhile, Michael Sheen lent his voice to a powerful film highlighting the deepening food insecurity crisis in the UK and the organisations who are working tirelessly to help families struggling to put food on the table.
Adjoa Andoh said: "Guilt, shame and fear are feelings many survivors of domestic abuse wrestle with, as we heard in the real-life stories that Suranne, Helen and I recounted. It was an honour to be involved with Comic Relief and speak about the life-transforming work it supports so that these courageous survivors can go forward into lives that are safer, kinder and more hopeful of the positive futures they deserve. If you’re able to, please donate what you can this Red Nose Day. Your donation could be a part of helping someone reach the critical support they need, when they feel most alone and when it matters most – thank you."
Samir Patel, Comic Relief CEO, said: “Tonight has once again reminded us of the joyful generosity that results from laughing together while helping others – it's what Red Nose Day has always been about, people helping people. We’ve been blown away by the efforts of schools, communities, workplaces and our partners across the UK in helping to raise £30,004,040 that will help over 1.3 million people who urgently need our support now to access food, safety and shelter. That big number reflects thousands of small acts of kindness, generosity and compassion. At a time when we know so many people are facing the toughest times of their own, we are deeply grateful."
While the red curtain has fallen on tonight’s night of TV, the fun doesn’t stop there this Red Nose Day, with lots of ways to still get involved...
Two incredible prizes are still up for grabs including six hospitality tickets for Harry Styles’ record-breaking 12-night Wembley Stadium residency this summer; as well as the chance to win a classic 1957 Speedster by Vintage Motorcars of California and a Family Weekend with Glamping to CarFest 2026. Find out how to enter both prizes here
This year’s Red Nose Day merchandise collection is still available to buy. The first-ever blank canvas Nose – the Design-Yer Nose – is available to buy now from Amazon; and an exclusive Disney Winnie-the-Pooh T-shirt collection is available to buy in TK Maxx stores and online
Comic Relief Does The Weakest Link – six comedians join Romesh Ranganathan for a very special episode of the iconic quiz show. Featuring high stakes, low accuracy, and peak chaos this is not to be missed. Available on BBC iPlayer now
Comic Relief’s Hits and Hidden Gems at the BBC – a collection of iconic musical moments showcasing Red Nose Day’s rich archive, on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two, Saturday 21 March, 8:45pm
Re-trace every step of The Creator Band’s journey on Comic Relief’s YouTube channel(opens in new window). The supergroup BUSK – consisting of four of the UK’s most exciting digital creators, Ayame, Sarel, Specs Gonzalez and Victor Kunda – have gone from newly form band to performing in front of millions on the Red Nose Day night of TV. Plus, new episodes coming soon
The work of Comic Relief wouldn’t be possible without the support of its brilliant partners who go above and beyond to support Red Nose Day. Comic Relief extends the biggest of thank yous to The Sainsbury’s Group, Amazon, TK Maxx & Homesense, Postcode Lottery, The Hunter Foundation, Holland & Barrett, British Airways, MALTESERS®, Babybel, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
There is still time to donate to Red Nose Day at comicrelief.com/donate(opens in new window)
ENDS
ASSETS AVAILABLE
Images from the Red Nose Day night of TV (‘Comic Relief: Funny for Money’) are available via BBC Pictures(opens in new window)
Images from Adjoa Andoh, Helen George and Surranne Jones available here(opens in new window)
Images from Radio 1’s Longest Ride with Greg James available here(opens in new window)
Wider images from the Red Nose Day campaign – including merchandise – are available here(opens in new window)
Partner contributions
The Sainsbury’s Group - £8,412,171
Amazon - £2,024,695
TK Maxx & Homesense - £1,602,903
Postcode Lottery - £2,500,000
The Hunter Foundation - £1,000,000
Holland & Barrett - £700,000
British Airways - £529,945
MALTESERS® - £507,773
Babybel - £150,000
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - £350,000
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation - £50,000
Joseph Rowntree Foundation - £25,000
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Comic Relief Press Office
0207 820 2500 (Press Office)
Media@comicrelief.com(opens in new window)
www.comicrelief.com/media-centre(opens in new window)
Out of hours enquiries: 0207 820 2444
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Red Nose Day
This Red Nose Day, Friday 20 March 2026, it’s time to take things a bit less seriously. It’s time to lighten up a little, take ourselves funny for money and celebrate the undeniable power of laughter.
Whether it’s running a marathon in a mankini, baking your mate’s face in cake, sharing your best worst photo, or popping on a Red Nose and going about your day – let’s turn those silly moments into serious goodness! This March, get ready to be silly, be daft, be the nation’s punchline and help raise shedloads of cash.
The money raised this Red Nose Day could help to support people with the basic essentials that everyone has the right to – food, shelter and safety.
There are lots of ways to get involved and take yourself funny for money. Visit www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday(opens in new window) or follow @comicrelief on social media to find out more.
Red Nose Day is an initiative of Comic Relief.
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief is a UK charity that uses the power of entertainment and popular culture to work towards a vision of a just world free from poverty. We raise money to support organisations that are closest to the communities who can make change happen. We support work that will help tackle the impact of poverty, injustice, conflict, and climate change in the UK and around the world.
Since launching in 1985, we have raised over £1.6 billion thanks to the huge generosity and kindness of the public and our partners.
For more information on our work, visit www.comicrelief.com or follow @comicrelief on X(opens in new window) (formerly Twitter), Facebook(opens in new window), Instagram(opens in new window), LinkedIn (opens in new window)and TikTok (opens in new window)for the latest content and news.
Comic Relief is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).
