Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day telethon this year raised £38.6m on the night, more than £6.6m up on last year’s total and following a period of decline for the event.

This year is the first on the night fundraising total increase for several years since its peak in 2015 when £78m was raised.

In 2022 the event raised £42.8m on the night, and the previous year £52m was raised. Four years ago it raised £63.5m.

“We’re so proud to have so far raised £38.6million,” said Comic Relief chief executive Samir Patel.

“We owe a great debt of gratitude to the truly incredible British public, and our partners who have once again gone to inspiring lengths to raise an extraordinary amount of money.

“With so many people struggling, and with millions impacted by poverty and injustice, the money raised this Red Nose Day will make a life-changing difference to so many people here in the UK and around the world. On behalf of us all, thank you.”

This year’s event was presented by Comic Relief co-founder and life president Sir Lenny Henry for the final time. It also featured actors Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, and Olivia Coleman.

Asim Chaudhry, Catherine Tate, Jonathan Bailey, Sally Phillips and Suranne Jones also featured in a spoof movie of BBC show The Traitors.

Grab your popcorn, it’s time for Traitors: The Movie. If anyone looks a bit different, it’s just the big screen… pic.twitter.com/fjEwNeovvj

— Comic Relief (@comicrelief) March 15, 2024

Henry said: “The money raised tonight is phenomenal. For the British public to give so generously whilst struggling through a cost-of-living crisis is, for me, one of the most beautiful things about this country. We never stop caring.”

“We all share that fundamental belief in helping others, it’s a common thread that unites us and remains as strong now as it did when we started Red Nose Day back in 1988.”

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