The final amount raised for Red Nose Day 2024 has been revealed in a spectacular fashion. The star-studded event featured appearances from A-list celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, and Liam Neeson. Not only that, but Paloma Faith also graced the stage with a musical performance. To top it off, there was even a hilarious spoof of The Traitors. This year’s show also marked Sir Lenny Henry’s final time co-hosting the annual programme. The 65-year-old actor, who co-founded Comic Relief in 1985, will continue to serve as life president after stepping down as host. Reflecting on his journey, Sir Lenny expressed his disbelief at the organization’s longevity, stating, “I thought we’d probably do three shows and that would be it, but fast-forward nearly 40 years, and that enthusiasm and determination to step up and help others has never wavered.”
During the show on BBC One, Sir Lenny announced the jaw-dropping final total raised. He exclaimed, “Red Nose nation. Your generosity has brought tonight’s total, so far, to a phenomenal £37,019,832.” This incredible amount was made possible by the support of the public. The first total of the night was an impressive £21,700,628. The funds raised through Red Nose Day go towards addressing various pressing issues, including homelessness, poverty, mental health, and many others, both in the UK and worldwide. Comic Relief, as a UK charity, aims to make a difference by providing essentials such as food, shelter, and safety for those in need.
Looking back at last year’s fundraising efforts, Comic Relief managed to raise over £30,000,000. The live show, which lasted for three hours, featured entertaining sketches with The Traitors and a special performance by Kylie Minogue. This year, the show was hosted by David Tennant, along with presenters AJ Odudu, Joel Dommett, Paddy McGuinness, and Zoe Ball. It was the first time the event took place without Sir Lenny, but the new hosts did an excellent job in keeping the spirit of Comic Relief alive.
Since its inception in 1985, Comic Relief has amassed an astonishing amount of donations. Sir Lenny, who co-hosted the first-ever show in 1988, helped raise £15,000,000 in just eight hours of TV comedy. Over the years, Comic Relief has continued to make a significant impact, raising over £1.5 billion in total. This remarkable achievement was acknowledged by Davina McCall, who described Sir Lenny as “irreplaceable.” She spoke on behalf of the nation, expressing their gratitude and admiration for his unwavering dedication to the cause.
Sir Lenny Henry hosted his final Red Nose Day fundraiser, stating that it has been an honor and a joy. He emphasized that the event is about comedy and compassion, not about him. The cast of W1A, including Hugh Bonneville and Jessica Hynes, reunited to search for a new host, while Steve Coogan appeared as Alan Partridge alongside Tim Key. The West End stage show Just For One Day, based on the Live Aid concert, also made a special appearance. In a music video, Sir Lenny joked about turning 10 Downing Street into a “dope ass Premier Inn” while singing a spoof of the song “I’m Just Ken” from the movie Barbie. He even contemplated becoming prime minister. Sir Lenny revealed that he had planned the song before Ryan Gosling performed it at the Academy Awards.
