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A whole host of Comic Relief celebrities are taking to the small screen this Christmas to highlight how some of the whopping £108,436,227 raised by Red Nose Day 2011 is already hard at work changing lives.
Presented by one of the nation’s best loved Comedians, Michael McIntyre, the amazing 90 minute special on December 28th at 10.30pm on BBC ONE will also look back at some of the hilarious moments that made Red Nose Day such a corker. It will feature updates on where the money is hard at work from Lenny Henry, Ruth Jones, Dermot O’Leary, David Walliams, Lorraine Kelly, Helen Skelton and JLS – who all did their bit for Red Nose Day 2011.
Comic Relief legend Lenny Henry added: “This year’s show is a must-see. It’s a great mix of looking back on what a great night Red Nose Day was and looking forward to how the money is helping to change lives, both here in the UK and in Africa. Going back to Kibera was amazing, I could see how the public’s money is making a real difference.”
Lenny visited Kibera in Africa, where he took part in the hard hitting documentary ‘Famous Rich & in the Slums’. This report-back show, ‘Comic Relief 2011: What A Cracker’ sees Lenny emotionally reunited with the poverty-stricken, orphaned family he stayed with as they show off their brand new home, complete with toilet and shower.
The show also follows JLS as they visit street kids in Uganda. The boys spend the day teaching a class, playing football and meeting a budding singer called Nicolas who breaks down when he tells the boys his heartbreaking story.
Meanwhile, Dermot O’Leary, who trekked across the Kaisut Desert for Red Nose Day, visits a slum in Kenya and proudly announces that there will be an eye clinic opening at the local Catholic Church. Blue Peter presenter and Comic Relief daredevil, Helen Skelton, reflects on her amazing Red Nose Day challenge – high wiring across Battersea Power Station – and awards a hospital in Sierra Leone with a £300,000 grant. Meanwhile comedian David Walliams gives an update on the new clinics set up in Mageta Island, Kenya.
Of course the show doesn’t only look at where the money is hard at work in Africa, but also sees Gavin and Stacey’s very own Ruth Jones pay a visit to a UK drop in centre to surprise pensioner Ron. Ruth first met Ron earlier this year when she filmed a moving appeal film with him and his wife Doris who was suffering from Alzheimer’s. Tragically, Doris lost her battle soon after filming and Ron is now being helped through his bereavement by the Comic Relief funded project.
Michael McIntyre also looks back at some of the “best bits” from the Red Nose Day night of TV such as Smithy’s unforgettable sketch starring Sir Paul McCartney and many more celebrities; Miranda Hart’s dance with JLS; clips from the celebrity challenges and the special performance by the unforgettable “Fake That”.
After the fabulous 90 minute show there will also be a behind the scenes special available on the Red Button which will look at the making of the infamous and utterly hilarious Smithy Sketch.
