But still down on previous years

The total raised on Red Nose Day has risen to £35.3million - up more than £3million the figure announced at the end of the BBC One telethon on Friday

The figure will continue to rise as money is still coming in. And Comic Relief is still running a prize draw to win a 2009 Jaguar X-Type estate previously owned and driven by the Queen. 

However the figure is substantially down on the £63.5million raised in the last pre-pandemic Red Nose Day in 2019. ,It is also down on last year’s figure of £42.8million

Comic Relief chief executive Samir Patel said: ‘We are feeling completely overwhelmed by the enormous generosity and kindness shown by the public and our partners this Red Nose Day.

‘To have raised such a significant sum during the cost-of-living crisis, is just extraordinary and we are blown away by how much the amount has risen since Red Nose Day last Friday. People often dig the deepest during times of crisis and this has certainly been shown this Red Nose Day.  

‘Thank you to everyone who bought a Red Nose or t-shirt, dressed up, baked a cake, took on a challenge or watched the TV show and donated this year. Your extraordinary efforts will help to change so many lives.  

‘We’re excited about what we can do with this incredible pot of money and how many people in need of support we can reach. In the past two years alone, through our funding we have helped to support 2.7mo;;opm people across the UK and around the world.

‘Many charities are struggling to stay afloat, and more people than ever need support, so one of our main priorities now is making grants and getting this money to where it’s needed most." 

Friday night’s star-studded Red Nose Day broadcast featured sketches involving Kylie Minogue and the Ghosts cast, French & Saunders mocking The Traitors, Graham Norton, Lulu and Sam Ryder auditioning celebrity Eurovision hopefuls and the cast of Stath Lets Flats.

Published: 21 Mar 2023