As we make our way through March and get ever closer to Spring, Red Nose Day 2026 is officially upon us.
It's all about the humour and celeb appearances, and it's all for a good cause: charity Comic Relief works to fight both social injustice and poverty.
Davina McCall is set to present the show, and will be joined by comedians Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Joel Dommett and Catherine Tate, who will reprise her character Nan from The Catherine Tate Show. Alison Hammond is also set to appear in a sketch alongside Dermot O'Leary and Idris Elba, so there's plenty to look forward to.
Can we retire this drama, already?
When is Red Nose Day 2026?
Red Nose Day is on Friday 20 March this year, incidentally the same day as the Spring Equinox.
What is this year’s theme?
2026's Red Nose Day theme is "Take Yourself Funny for Money". It's all about finding the brevity and laughter in a rather intense world.
“We all need a laugh more than ever because, quite honestly, the world feels a lot right now,” a statement from the BBC reads. “Which is why this year, we’re going back to basics: helping people get what they need to eat, sleep and feel safe. All you have to do is turn to the daft side and Take Yourself Funny for Money.”
Celebrity challenges for Comic Relief
It wouldn't be Red Nose Day without celebs doing crazy things to raise money for the cause. In the past, we've had Jamie Laing's Ultra Marathon Man back in 2025, which saw him complete a 150-mile run from London to Salford over five days, raising over £2 million.
Emma Willis, Oti Mabuse, and Rylan Clark also trekked through the Scottish Highlands back in 2023 for the cause.
This year, will see a new batch of stars doing funny stuff to raise awareness and money for Comic Relief. Here's our rundown.
Celebrity Traitors and soon-to-be Soccer Aid star Joe Marler and RuPauls Drag Race UK legend Tia Kofi sashayed for charity in an amazing video for the “Take Yourself Funny For Money” campaign, seeing Marler get the full drag makeover. And honestly? The look is definitely working for him. Lioness and Queen of the I'm A Celeb jungle Jill Scott also joins in the silliness in a bike race with school children. Cute.
Marler has said: “I absolutely love the theme of this year’s Red Nose Day – I couldn’t agree more that we all just need to have a good laugh, and why not let it be at our own expense? Never did I think a drag queen could make me look so bloomin’ gorgeous. So come on, do something daft with me and help raise lots of lovely money.”
The radio DJ and TV show host started his big Red Nose Day challenge on Friday 13 March, which is called Radio 1's Longest Ride. It will see the presenter attempt to cycle 1,000 kilometres in eight days on a tandem bike, meeting surprise guests on his travels to help carry the load. Route wise, he is set to cycle through Wales, the Midlands and the North of England before finally reaching Edinburgh on Red Nose Day.
One of Friday's evening sketches is set to feature both Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary and Idris Elba, it's name being “The Bank Job", and billed as the "heist to end all heists". Joining them are Chris McCausland, Stephen Mulhern, Shona McGarty, Niko Omilana, Gladiator’s Sabre and Natalie Cassidy. Call us intrigued.
Also set to make an appearance are Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker and Miranda Hart will also participate in “simple acts of silliness” as parts of the campaign.
Throw a bake sale – a delicious way to do good.
Take on the Tour de Farce – a Red Nose Day-approved fundraising method that involves a silly sponsored challenge, preferably on a toddler bike no matter your age.
Play the Big Red Nose Day Quiz – the perfect plan: get quizzical for charity.
Take Comic Relief's Taskmaster challenge – Yes, this year you can get your own Red Nose Day Taskmaster kit, which boasts a load of tasks and masks and – of course – a trophy for the winner.
