Comedian to take part in Comic Opera for Red Nose Day

Rosie Jones is going to attempt to learn how to sing opera in just 24 hours for Red Nose Day.

The stand-up is one of five women who will perform a medley of three arias from the opera Carmen in front of 2,000 music-lovers at the  London Coliseum – having never done it before.

Also taking part in Comic Opera are TV presenter Scarlett Moffatt and actors Helen George, Tamzin Outhwaite and Nina Wadia. And when they perform, they will be backed by the English National Opera orchestra and chorus.

Jones said: ‘I am terrified; I find it hard enough to talk, never mind sing opera. I love singing though, and I always belt out 1980s bangers in the shower, so surely it's just like that… with a few more clothes on!’

Wadia added: 'Last year I learned to dance, and this year I am learning to sing operatic! Comic Relief is helping me tick something else off by bucket list, so how could I turn this opportunity down?! They do such fantastic work, so the least I can do is give the performance of my lifetime at the London Coliseum.'

The show, hosted by Sara Cox, will air as part of BBC One’s Red Nose Day programming next Friday, March 18.

Published: 11 Mar 2022