Alison Hammond, Big Zuu, Catherine Tate as ‘Nan’, Davina McCall, Dermot O’Leary, Jodie Whittaker, Joe Lycett, Joe Marler, Jill Scott, Miranda Hart, Nick Mohammed, and Tia Kofi are among the stars of comedy and entertainment coming together to officially launch Red Nose Day 2026 today – Manchester’s Meanwhile remain on creative duties, having previously extended the merchandise range in 2023, introduced noses that tell jokes in 2024, and taking a retro approach last year.
This year’s Red Nose Day is tapping into one of the things Brits do best – having a laugh at their own expense and happily being the punchline of jokes to bring a smile to others. It’s all about the nation harnessing the typically British love of self-deprecating humour to come together, have a laugh at themselves and raise life-changing money to support people with the vital support and basic essentials they need to survive – food, shelter and safety – on Friday 20 March, and is launching under the banner “Take Yourself Funny For Money.”
To kick things off, Joe Marler has teamed up with former Lioness and Queen of the Jungle, Jill Scott, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World series 2 winner, Tia Kofi, in a new Comic Relief launch film. Available to watch on YouTube now, the short film sees the trio making true rear-ends of themselves with panto horses, tiny bikes, costumes, wigs and make-up aplenty.
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Marler said: “I absolutely love the theme of this year’s Red Nose Day – I couldn’t agree more that we all just need to have a good laugh, and why not let it be at our own expense? Never did I think a drag queen could make me look so bloomin’ gorgeous. So come on, do something daft with me and help raise lots of lovely money.”
Samir Patel, Comic Relief CEO, added: “Red Nose Day has always been about bringing people together through the wonderful British sense of humour and showing that joy and laughter can inspire incredible moments of care and compassion. For millions of people, the foundations that should be guaranteed in life are no longer there. Increasingly more and more people in our local neighbourhoods and across the world are suffering hunger, homelessness and harm. We’ve reached a critical point in society, and it just can’t go on like this anymore. This Red Nose Day is the chance to come together, take yourself funny for money and turn a day of silliness and having a much-needed laugh into something that makes a world of difference. Funds raised this year will specifically help people get the basic essentials they need to survive – food to eat, a safe place to sleep, a life free from fear and harm.”
On Friday 20 March, the annual Red Nose Day night of TV on the BBC will bring the nation together for a fun-filled evening of comedy, live performances, prizes and sketches. Presenting will be Davina McCall, who will be joined by comics Joel Dommett, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed and, in a Red Nose Day first, Catherine Tate – who will appear as her legendary character ‘Nan’ from The Catherine Tate Show, with more names to be announced.
The big night of TV will air on BBC One and iPlayer from 7pm, live from MediaCity UK in Salford.
Yorkshire Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker said: “I think we are in a very turbulent time, and I think that what is always so important to remember is that every single person can do something. It doesn’t matter the size, and it doesn’t matter how grand or how small, but if every single person on Red Nose Day does one little thing to contribute to their community, their society, donate a pound, donate twenty pounds – that little goes such a long way. I think that that’s such a wonderful thing for us all to feel a part of one gigantic family, where, in this time particularly, it can feel a little bit broken. I think things like Comic Relief just feel like we’re all uniting and aiming for the same wonderful outcome, which is to raise loads of money for really good causes. And, the best bit, it makes you laugh when you do it.”
Also revealed today is this year’s new Red Nose collection featuring the first-ever Design-Yer Nose, a blank canvas Nose that allows people to use their imagination and creativity to design a Nose that is uniquely their own while spreading humour, kindness and compassion. The Nose is available now on Amazon, the official home of the Red Nose.
The collection also includes an exclusive collaboration with world-famous artist Mr Doodle, who has created five doodle Nose designs, in addition to the classic Red Nose. Mr Doodle has also designed a limited-edition bucket hat and pin badge in his iconic style, with all these must-have items available to buy on Amazon, with free One-Day Delivery for all customers.
A host of stars from the worlds of screen, stage and sport are among the first to get their hands on this year’s Red Nose collection, including: Dianne Buswell, Ellie Goldstein, Ellie Taylor, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Iain Stirling, Jodie Whittaker, Joe Lycett, Joe Sugg, Montell Douglas, Natalie Cassidy, Nish Kumar, Phil Wang, Rickie Haywood-Williams and Rosie Jones.
Bridlington comic Jones said: “I love Red Nose Day because it proves that being silly can make a serious difference, and it brings people together through laughter in so many ways. Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to experience it all with Comic Relief – the fun, the daftness, the creativity, and seeing how much it helps to change lives. This year’s Design-Yer Nose is all those things rolled into one – how could I resist?”
Meanwhile, TK Maxx and Comic Relief have teamed up with Disney/Winnie The Pooh to bring a new range of T-shirts, totes, mugs, bag charms and more featuring best friends Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. The collection will support Comic Relief to change the lives of children and young people in the UK and around the world. Shop now in TK Maxx stores and online at tkmaxx.com and comicrelief.com/shop.
Money raised this Red Nose Day will help people access food, shelter and safety – the essentials everyone needs to survive, here in the UK and around the world. For more information on how you can get involved, visit Comic Relief.
