COMIC Relief has raised a huge £52million on its return to our screens last night with a variety of comic and emotional sketches.
Fans were left belly laughing as Catherine Tate returned as iconic character Nan alongside James Bond star Daniel Craig.
While tears were also shed as Doctor Who actor David Tennant welled up following a performance of The Proclaimers’ song Sunshine on Leith.
The emotional evening raised a whopping £52m for charities across the globe, including mental health charity supported by Prince William.
This year’s theme was ‘Share A Smile’, with plenty of celebs and schools taking part in Comic Relief 2021 to bring some joy after a tough year.
Events were broadcast throughout the day on CBeebies and CBBC, culminating in the evening of live television on BBC One that featured live performances, hilarious sketches and one-off comedy specials.
One sketch saw the return of the iconic Catherine Tate‘s Nan, Joannie Taylor, as she cleaned the offices of special forces manager ‘M’.
She was greeted by a shocked James Bond, as the pair joked back and forth about his signature catchphrases, including drinks “shaken, not stirred”.
Fans were left giggling as Catherine’s character was discovered to be behind an evil plot to trap the MI6 man over his excessive “carbon footprint”.
“It’s 007-5,” Catherine joked. “I’ve got a bus pass and a licence to watch the BBC and I’ve finally caught up with you.
“Wind your money-wasting, earth-burning, speedo-wearing, lady-killing, sexiest man alive and ‘nobody can believe you’re 50 and makes us all look bad’ neck in,” she continued, as Bond broke into laughter.
Viewers took to social media to praise the “hilarious” sketch, with one writing: “These two! What a pairing. This is brilliant!”
A second added: “Nan always manages to make me laugh – Catherine Tate and Daniel Craig were hilarious.”
Another moment saw fans welling up as David Tennant held back tears over a special choral performance reflecting on the past year.
As the Scottish actor encouraged people to donate to the cause, his voice cracked and he looked to be holding back the sobs.
Fans felt the emotion too, heading to Twitter to reveal they were “crying too” at the montage of moments since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
One wrote: “I am fully sobbing. David Tennant is the most beautiful human being in this world.”
The Duke of Cambridge also made an appearance in the programme to thank viewers for their “compassion and generosity” in raising millions for good causes during last year’s Big Night In television fundraiser.
Prince William – wearing a red jumper – praised Brits for their generosity, and explained just what a difference our money will make to charities, especially mental health causes.
The total raised for Comic Relief has exceeded £52million this morning after the total was announced last night at £45million.
Organisers praised Brits for their “overwhelming response,” saying they had now raise £52,025,485 and said more money was still coming in.
Davina McCall, who presented the show alongside Alesha Dixon, David Tennant, Paddy McGuinness and Sir Lenny Henry, said: “Tonight was a beautiful reminder of how wonderful and kind-hearted the British public are.
“Everyone knows how special Red Nose Day is, and the enormous power it has to bring us all together in the best of times; but this year, after such a difficult year, we’ve never needed it more.
“Tonight, we’ve shared love and laughter, and helped raise an incredible amount of money along the way that’ll make such a difference to so many; so, thank you, for your kindness and generosity thank you so much.”
