Details of the character's Comic Relief comeback revealed

Baldrick’s TV comeback will be to read a bedtime story, it has been revealed today.

Writer Richard Curtis revealed that Tony Robinson would be reprising his most memorable role last month – with the news seen as the closest thing to a Blackadder comeback fans were likely to see,

Now the BBC has revealed details of many of the skits to air on the Red Nose Day telethon on March 17, and says of the Baldrick scene: 'We'll see the exclusive return of one of the nation's most beloved comedy characters - Baldrick - as he reads his very own Blackadder Bedtime Story.’

When Curtis first broke the news on Radio 2 he said: ‘For the first time in 20 years, Baldrick is going to be giving some kind of performance. We're just conspiring about it now, so I think there's going to be a marvellous, turnip-based thing with Tony Robinson now back in action, so I'm excited about that.’

And asked whether Rowan Atkinson might return to the titular character, he added: ‘Rowan's far too serious to do any of that.’

Sir Tony told the Radio Times this week: 'What’s remarkable is the way Richard was able to pick up the voice and rhythms of Baldrick straight away, having not written him for practically 25 years.'

The most recent Blackadder special aired in 1999, while in 2020, Stephen Fry reprised his role as Lord Melchett for Children in Need and Comic Relief’s  The Big Night In lockdown fundraiser.

As previously announced, French and Saunders have made a Comic Relief sketch based around The Traitors, featuring Claudia Winkleman and Dame Mary Berry.

And there’s a Ghosts special with Kylie Minogue, who arrives at Button House with her manager (played by Tanya Moodie) to see if it's a suitable concert venue.

Iain Stirling will also be taking part in a Love Island spoof with its host Maya Jama.

And in Eurovision – The Audition Tapes a panel comprising Graham Norton, Lulu and Sam Ryder will have to sit through celebrity auditions to represent the UK at the international song contest.

The fundraising night will be hosted by David Tennant, Paddy McGuinness, Zoe Ball, Joel Dommett and AJ Odudu.

Dommett said: ‘We have So much planned! The names included are truly unbelievable. I’m really excited to be a part of the team and hold the fort for the first few hours.'

Published: 9 Mar 2023