Red Nose Day 2023 live updates as jam-packed telethon raises money for Comic Relief

One of the biggest fundraising events in television is back with a bang! Comic Relief is currently on BBC One (Friday, March 17) - and viewers are in for a treat with a three-hour show filled to the brim with side-splitting entertainment and hilarious celebrity appearances, sketches and challenges. Of course, the programme will also show heart-breaking real-life clips of some of the vulnerable people in the UK and abroad who will benefit from the money raised - and show us exactly how our donations can help them.

Funds raised for Comic Relief this year will support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and will also help support people facing homelessness, mental health issues and food poverty here in the UK and around the world.

Whilst today's the day for the big Comic Relief programme on TV, fundraising for the important charity began several days ago. Hundreds of people have watched-on as several stars have taken part in various fundraising challenges, including Wales' very own Gethin Jones' amazing 24-hour dance-a-thon and Radio 1's Arielle Free's Tour De Dance, to help raise funds for those in need.

Presenting tonight's programme will be Doctor Who star David Tennant, who will be joined live in the studio by comedians and presenters Paddy McGuinness, Zoe Ball, Joel Dommett and AJ Odudu. Plus, show bosses have confirmed Dawn French, Graham Norton, Danny Dyer, Kylie Minogue and Sir Tony Robinson (aka Balderick) will be among those performing in specially-made sketches and exclusive skits - and there will also be a special Royal appearance from the Prince of Wales too.

The total raised last year - with the help of celebrity challenges, donations on the night and fundraisers by the public - from this monumental