Comic Relief 2023: date, time, presenters and all we know

A composite shot of the Comic Relief 2023 presenters: Joel Dommett, AJ Odudu, Paddy McGuinness, David Tennant and Zoe Ball. They are in front of a red background and everyone is wearing red outfits, except for Paddy, who is wearing a dark suit with a maroon tie, and David, who is wearing a blue suit with a blue tie

The Comic Relief 2023 team are ready to raise lots of money. (Image credit: Nicky Johnston/BBC)

Comic Relief 2023 is here — and this year's telethon is set to be bigger and better than ever, with an all-star hosting team and heaps of hilarious sketches and send-ups involving your favorite celebrities and shows.

If you're wondering what you can look forward to tonight, here's our guide to what's in store...

When is Comic Relief 2023 on?

The Comic Relief 2023 appeal show will be broadcast live from MediaCityUK in Salford on Friday, March 17 from 7 pm on BBC One.

At 10 pm, the documentary When Comic Relief Did Big Brother will air on BBC Two, and that will be followed by the highlights show Comic Relief: The Best Of The Best Bits at 10.35 pm on BBC One, which takes a look back at the last 35 years of the fun-filled fundraiser.

Who are the Comic Relief 2023 presenters?

This year's presenting team is headed up by David Tennant, and he'll be joined over the course of the evening by Zoe Ball, Paddy McGuinness, AJ Odudu and Joel Dommett.

Joel Dommett wearing a red tuxedo with a red bow tie — Joel Dommett is one of this year's hosts. (Image credit: BBC/Nicky Johnston)

"David Tennant is in charge, and that's the closest I'll ever get to being the Doctor's assistant, so I'm pretty hyped about that!" says Zoe. "Also I'm with Paddy McGuinness and it's St Patrick's Day, so there will be shenanigans for sure."

What will be happening in this year's show?

Amid all of the usual emotional appeal films, the Comic Relief team have some top comedy treats lined up for you.

Here's a taster of what you can look forward to:

Ghosts

A very special episode of Ghosts, in which the spectral residents are lucky, lucky, lucky, as global superstar Kylie Minogue and her manager (played by Motherland's Tanya Moodie) visit Button House to discover whether it would be a suitable concert venue.

Love Island

Comic Relief does Love Island, as an unconventional bombshell enters the South African villa... Yes, Comic Relief is sending Chabuddy G into the villa! Expect Maya Jama slow-mos, sarcastic quips from Iain Stirling and a romantic trip to the hideaway.

The Traitors

A uniquely Comic Relief twist on The Traitors, where Claudia Winkleman (played by Dawn French) invites an all-star cast including Dame Mary Berry to take part in a banishment at the iconic roundtable.

As you can see from the picture below, Jennifer Saunders and the real Claudia will also be taking part. Stephen Merchant, Danny Dyer, Rosie Jones, Maddy and Wilf from series 1 of The Traitors will also all gather at the roundtable. But who will be revealed as the ultimate Traitor?

Mary Berry, Claudia Winkleman, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders sit around The Traitors roundtable. All of them are wearing black Traitor cloaks, and Mary, Dawn and Jennifer are all wearing black wigs with long fringes mimicking Claudia's hairstyle — Mary, Claudia, Dawn and Jennifer are out to catch a Traitor... (Image credit: BBC/David Emery)

Eurovision

As the excitement grows for the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool this May, it appears that lots of celebrities were interested in representing the UK — and a special panel consisting of Graham Norton, Sam Ryder and Lulu appraises their efforts in Eurovision: The Audition Tapes.

But can Jamie Dornan sing? Have The Fizz made their mind up on their song choice? Has Tony Hadley still got it? Will Miranda’s performance get laughs? Or will Bono outshine them all? And who will need a hug from Dermot O’Leary after it all?

Blackadder Bedtime Story

Sir Tony Robinson will be reprising his role as Blackadder's dimwitted sidekick when Baldrick reads his very own exclusive Bedtime Story.

Stath Lets Flats

Dermot O’Leary is visiting small businesses to see what they are doing to raise money for Comic Relief. And first up are the staff of Michael & Eagle lettings whose unique (and only) fundraising idea is to take Dermot on a sponsored tour of a rented flat.

Stath then showcases a brand-new song that he has written for Comic Relief – titled 'Comic Release' – which stars Stath, his sister Sophie, Katia and Al - PLUS some very special guest artists. Stath Charalambos says: “I couldn’t feel more pleasant to have met Dernot O’Really in 2023 for Comic Release. His clothes fit on his body perfectly. Thank you X factor.”

What else is happening for Comic Relief 2023?

Earlier this year, Emma Willis, Oti Mabuse and Rylan set out to climb Cairn Gorm Mountain in the Scottish Highlands to raise money for charity — but a treacherous turn of the weather meant they had to delay their final ascent. The full story of their trip to the summit was revealed in Emma, Oti & Rylan's Big Red Nose Day Challenge on Tuesday, March 14 on BBC One — but you can now catch up on BBC iPlayer.

Oti, Rylan and Emma in their climbing gear for Comic Relief 2023 — (Image credit: BBC)

Morning Live presenter Gethin Jones has also taken part in a 24-hour Keep Dancing challenge, inspired by the show's Strictly Fitness segment. You can see how he got on via BBC iPlayer.

Gethin Jones on his Red Nose Day Keep Dancing challenge: "I'll be doing the slowest dances possible!"

There will be two musical acts live on stage; Tom Grennan will be singing his hit single 'You Are Not Alone', and Zara Larsson who will be performing her new single 'Can’t Tame Her'.

The cast of Mrs Doubtfire The Musical will also be singing and dancing in their first UK performance of Make Me A Woman from the brand new stage show.

How can I get involved or donate money?

For more information on fundraising or to make a donation, visit the BBC's Red Nose Day page.