Stars launch Red Nose Day

Some of the top names in comedy were at the London Eye yesterday to launch the 2007 Red Nose Day, dubbed The Big One.

Russell Brand, Graham Norton, Lenny Henry, Jennifer Saunders, Adrian Edmondson and Jo Brand were at the launch of the Comic Relief fundraiser.

To start the campaign, 8 million new-look sponge noses went on sale in Sainsbury and Oxfam shops.

Red Nose Day is on March 16, and among the highlights of that night’s telethon will be

• A sketch featuring Catherine Tate on Deal Or No Deal
• The last ever episode of Vicar Of Dibley – with Sting as guest star
• A celebrity version of The Apprentice, featuring Jo Brand, Piers Morgan, Alistair Campbell and others
• An airing of the live Little Britain gala featuring such celebs as Kate Moss, Dennis Waterman and Peter Kay
• A version of Casualty written by Comic relief founder Richard Curtis
• Car Booty – Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders try to sell some of the contents of their home at a car boot sale.

The London Eye will be lit in red from tonight in aid of Comic Relief, and a number of big events will be taking place across the country – including a 24-hour comedy gig at the Opus Lounge in Manchester's Printworks, a search for the Best Welsh joke and a search for the best new comic from the West Country.

Lenny Henry said: ‘We raised £65 million last time so let's top it if we can,. If you gave one pound last time, then give two.

And of the seven-hour telethon, Brand said: ‘All the best people in comedy – and myself – will be there. If that don’t turn you on, there’s something wrong with you.’

A fundraising kit is available for people planning events, which also includes a DVD full of classic Comic Relief moments. Call 09065 22 66 66 for a copy – the call costs £2.

For more information, visit www.rednoseday.com.

And here’s a clip of Russell Brand, who will be hosting the last hour of the show, talking about Comic Relief:

Published: 31 Jan 2007