The UK’s largest night time of comedy and entertainment is again: Red Nose Day is returning for 2023 with an epic three-hour enchantment present stuffed with TV specials, music performances, hilarious sketches and heartfelt tales displaying what Comic Relief is all about.

Hosting stay from Media City Salford this yr can be David Tennant, Paddy McGuinness, Zoe Ball, Joel Dommett and AJ Odudu, who’re all bursting with pleasure for what’s to return, and to lift cash for these in want.

“I’ve always been aware of the incredible work that Comic Relief does – it’s one of those shows that I’ve watched since I was a little girl,” says Odudu, 35.

“It’s such a joyous charity and an incredible way to make money for many causes that are close to my heart, but especially right now with food poverty and mental health support needed more than ever.”

As Odudu says, Comic Relief is returning at a very pertinent time this yr.

With instances robust for hundreds of thousands of individuals across the UK and throughout the world, donations to Comic Relief will fund initiatives to assist people who find themselves going by way of the toughest intervals of their lives, together with tackling points like homelessness, psychological well being issues, and meals poverty.

“So many people are in need of support, both in the UK and around the world, more so than ever before, and it’s important we do what we can to spread the word and help out,” says radio presenter and Comic Relief enchantment present host Ball, 52.

“I’ve seen how far the cash raised can go in serving to with help.

“It’s pretty awesome that people are always wanting to help their fellow neighbours and communities.”

As ever, Red Nose Day 2023 brings with it a jam-packed night time of TV specials.

“We have so much planned,” teases Dommett, 37.

“The names included are truly unbelievable. I’m really excited to be a part of the team and hold the fort for the first few hours.”

Love Island followers can be handled to a hilarious shock when an surprising bombshell enters the villa in a particular episode full with Maya Jama slow-mos, wisecracks from Iain Stirling, and even a romantic journey to the hideaway.

Dawn French is enjoying Claudia Winkleman in a Red Nose Day model of The Traitors, through which she assembles a celeb group of the ‘Faithful’ and the ‘Traitors’ for a hilarious tackle the hit psychological gameshow.

Of course, there will be some comedy specials too. One of the nation’s most beloved comedy characters, Blackadder’s Baldrick, is returning to learn us a bedtime story, whereas Kylie Minogue will characteristic in a particular episode of BBC sitcom Ghosts.

Also that includes within the large enchantment enchantment present are sensible prize attracts, and this yr’s providing is really thoughts blowing.

Chris Evans’ CarFest has donated a automobile like no different – an iconic 2009 Jaguar X-Type Estate beforehand owned and pushed by HM Queen Elizabeth II – and it is up for grabs within the prize draw.

Red Nose Day is a mainstay fixture of enjoyable for individuals up and down the nation, and goes far additional than the night time of leisure on the enchantment present.

Odudu says that whereas “getting to stay up late as a little girl to watch the show” is considered one of her fondest reminiscences of Comic Relief, she liked how campaigning for the charity passed off in her day-to-day life, too.

“We were always calling in to donate, and that (felt) like a really special thing to do,” she says.

“At college it could at all times be a giant factor as properly – non-uniform day, individuals baking desserts, we might get to put on our noses at school…

“It was always really fun and silly. I love the humour around Comic Relief and Red Nose Day.”

In the run-up to Red Nose Day, BBC One and CBBC are internet hosting extra Comic Relief programming to get us within the fundraising and comedy spirit.

On March 14, Emma, Oti and Rylan’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge, following Emma Willis, Oti Mabuse and Rylan’s trek to the highest of the Cairn Gorm Mountain within the Scottish Highlands – the hardest bodily problem of their lives as they battle freezing temperatures, harmful climate and wild tenting in a punishing local weather – will air on BBC One.

Then, on Red Nose Day itself, CBBC is internet hosting Red Peter. For the primary time in its 65-year historical past, Blue Peter is altering its identify and iconic color for a particular episode packed full with world report makes an attempt, challenges, musical performances and extra.

There’ll even be some reveals wanting again on the historical past of Comic Relief, celebrating its thirty fifth yr.

Twenty-two years because the iconic 2001 particular which noticed six celebrities enter the Big Brother home in support of Comic Relief, winner Jack Dee and fellow housemates Vanessa Feltz, Claire Sweeney, Keith Duffy and Anthea Turner are having a look again on the time they helped increase hundreds of thousands of kilos for the charity on BBC Two.

“This year there is a show on BBC One and iPlayer of some of the best ever Comic Relief moments from across the years, and it’s such a fabulous flashback,” provides Ball of The Best of the Best Bits – a present which ransacks the BBC archives for a glance down reminiscence lane at Red Nose Day historical past.

As the general public dons their purple noses to get fundraising, the Red Nose Day hosts are getting ready for the large night time. But what are their Red Nose Day pre-show rituals?

For McGuinness, 49, it is “a mild panic attack followed by Bafta-worthy acting that I’m completely calm…”

“Brush all my teeth, have a last-minute panic wee and try to remember to breathe,” says Ball of her routine.

“I love working with David and Paddy as they make it so fun, and we’re in front of a live audience in Salford, which will be epic as anything can happen…”

“Just relax, have fun… and keep saying to myself: ‘Don’t mess it up’,” laughs Dommett.

“The routine is actually: whack on some music, placed on some make-up, get a flowery frock on, take some pics and we’re good to go,” provides Odudu.

“Music and glam is all we need.”

Comic Relief 2023 will air on BBC1 on Friday.