Once again, Red Nose Day has distinguished itself as the single most brilliant example known to man and/or woman of how an entire country can demonstrate the ability to create brilliant content and rally around a charitable cause.

Comic Relief was launched on Christmas Day in 1985 by comedian Sir Lenny Henry and writer/director Richard Curtis (Blackadder, Mr. Bean, Vicar of Dibley, Love Actually, Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral) and aired live on the BBC to highlight the famine crippling Ethiopia.

Not long after, the concept of Red Nose Day was created to focus attention on Comic Relief’s activities, with the first ever RND event in 1986 raising an impressive £15 million. Since its inception, total donations have surpassed an astounding £1.5 billion, with funds raised to help people in the UK and around the world tackle poverty, and provide food, healthcare and safe shelter.

To label Red Nose Day in the UK as a cultural phenomenon is doing it an injustice. It’s an institution. The entire country gets involved. The entire British acting community in all genres lend their time and talents to this effort.

This past Friday night was no different as the worlds of Not Going Out and Beyond Paradise brilliantly collided for Not Going Beyond Paradise. Filmed in Cornwall and written and created by Lee Mack, the sketch presented a bit of a challenge for Sally Bretton who starred in both shows, playing Lucy in Not Going Out and Martha in Beyond Paradise.

Celebrating 40 years since its inception, Red Nose Day 2025 marked the first yearly broadcast without former host Sir Lenny Henry, who previously announced he had stepped down from the role.

Raising a reported preliminary confirmed total of £34,022,590, Red Nose Day! 2025 has only just ended and I already can’t wait for March 2026!