Online videos from rising stars

Some of Britain’s emerging comedy stars are releasing a series of online videos for Comic Relief.

The first, out this morning, features Jamie Demetriou, Natasia Demetriou, Rhys James, Lolly Adefope and Nick Mohammed.

It is set at a fictional brainstorming session for new Red Nose designs, and has been written by comedian Daniel Audritt and Kat Butterfield, of sketch group Northern Power Blouse. Both are graduates of the National Film and Television School.

Future shorts will feature Massive Dad, Beasts, London Hughes, Liam Williams, and Anna Morris, among others.

Red Nose Day is also utilising new talent through Comic Relief Live - a series of comedy gigs across five UK cities. Elis James hosted the first last week in Cardiff, while John Bishop and Lenny Henry compere sold-out shows in Manchester on Sunday and Birmingham on Wednesday respectively.

The final gig is at The Stand in Glasgow on March 1, when Jo Brand introduces Sofie Hagen, Larry Dean, Scott Gibson, Andrea Hubert, Chris Forbes, Steve Bugeja and Fern Brady.

Comic Relief founder Richard Curtis said: ‘Red Nose Day has always benefited from the support of incredible British comic talent, so it seems right that this year we’re handing the mic over to some of the most exciting new names on the circuit, from writers to stand ups and actors. 

‘The special Comic Relief Live gigs and the new YouTube series are a chance to see the comedy stars of tomorrow in action.’

Yesterday it was announced that Curtis was working a Comic Relief short film reuniting most of the cast of Love Actually to find out what had happened to their characters 14 years on.

Here’s the first new online video sketch for this year’s fundraising drive:

Red Nose Day is on March 24 this year.

Published: 16 Feb 2017