Stand-up contracts Covid ahead of BBC telethon

Joel Dommett has had to pull out of hosting the BBC’s Red Nose Day telethon after testing positive for Covid.

The comic had been due to  present the Great Comic Relief Prizeathon portion of the night, after the 10 O’Clock News, with AJ Odudu. But now Vernon Kay will be taking his place.

Dommett broke the news on Instagram, saying: ‘Super annoyed to report that I have the vid 😔 This unfortunately means I have to pull out of hosting @comicrelief.

‘My incredible replacement is the better looking, more talented @vernonkay who is ace. I’ll be watching from home donating loads of money like everyone else;

Kay responded: 'Covid has caught Captain Fantastic @joeldommett so I’m gonna be trying to fill his size 11.5shoes🤪 on Fridays @comicrelief Prizeathon with @ajodudu Get the Vits in Joel kick it’s ass and join in the fun from the sofa?(You could win a CAR!)'

The main portion of the show, from 7pm, will be hosted by David Tennant,Sir Lenny Henry, Alesha Dixon, Paddy McGuinness and Zoe Ball.

Highlights of the evening will include  David Walliams and Matt Lucas bringing back Rock Profile, Kylie Minogue appearing with the cast of Ghosts, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders popping into The Repair Shop; Rosie Jones and other celebrities learning to sing opera in just 24 hours; Stephen Fry and other celebrities reading a one-off Bedtime Story, strictly for adults; a special edition of QI themed around Comic Relief with Sandi Toksvig and Alan Davies joined by Jo Brand, Sally Phillips and Guz Khan; and Mischief Theatre introducing TV viewers to The Mind Mangler from their West End show Magic Goes Wrong.

Published: 17 Mar 2022