Comic Relief 2024 LIVE: Sir Lenny Henry kicks off FINAL Red Nose Day

One of the most eagerly anticipated events tonight will be the spoof take on the hit TV show The Traitors.

Featuring Jonathan Bailey, Catherine Tate and Sally Phillips, fans of the tense programme will be eagerly anticipating when it hits the screen.

Following his decision to step down, much has been made of who might replace the legendary presenter.

Speaking about his departure from the lime lite, Sir Lenny said: ‘As Life President of Comic Relief, I’m excited to see some new and familiar faces come forward now to present the big night and lead us into the next chapter.’

Sir Lenny admitted that the Comic Relief baton needs to be ‘handed on to a new group of people who are going to take on Comic Relief’ and alluded to a number of stars who could take over.

Sir Lenny Henry was left emotional as he described his 39-years as host of Comic Relief as an ‘honour and a privilege’ while presenting the show for a final time on Friday night.

The 65-year-old was honoured with a tribute from McFly as they sang their 2005 Red Nose Day single It’s All About You, before it was revealed Sir Lenny had helped raise £1.5B since his first telethon in 1988.

Joined by co-hosts Davina McCall and David Tennant he said: ‘It’s been an honour and a joy and despite what McFly say it’s not all about me, it’s about, it’s about the mirth and the money and comedy and compassion’.

Since 1988, March has been synonymous with Red Nose Day, a joyful fundraising effort raising millions to fight poverty around the world.

The slogan of the campaign, which was created by Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry’s first Comic Relief, is ‘Do something funny for money.’

Several celebs have taken part in the Red Nose Day charity appeal over the years, taking on all types of challenges to raise funds, such as Emma Willis, Oti Mabuse and Rylan Clark, who reached the summit of Cairn Gorm Mountain to fundraise for the event.

Others have also taken part in Red Nose Days specials of popular movies or shows, like Red Nose Day Actually, which reunited the original cast of Love Actually in 2007, and One Red Nose Day and a Wedding in 2019, after the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Red Nose Day returns to our screens tonight with millions of people expected to take part through various challenges and donation appeals.

The crux of the campaign is a telethon broadcast live on the BBC to appeal for funds, with high profile celebrities taking part to raise millions.

Money raised from the Red Nose Day appeal will help charity Comic Relief support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems and food poverty.

Join us here for news and updates now and throughout the BBC One broadcast.