Friday night (March 15) saw the return of Red Nose Day for Comic Relief 2024 and the three-hour show was packed with entertainment, from McFly’s opening medley performance to a spoof of The Traitors.

This year marked Sir Lenny Henry’s final time co-hosting the annual programme that raises money for charity.

The Dudley-born actor, 65, co-founded Comic Relief in 1985 alongside Love Actually screenwriter Richard Curtis and will continue to serve as life president following his departure as host.

The money raised by Red Nose Day goes towards organisations helping to tackle homelessness, poverty and mental health along with other causes in the UK and throughout the world.

Sir Lenny was also joined by co-hosts, Davina McCall, Love Island presenter Maya Jama, Doctor Who star David Tennant, actor and comedian Romesh Ranganathan, The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett, Take Me Out star Paddy McGuinness and podcaster Rosie Ramsey.

Reflecting on the comedian's legacy, Davina told Sir Lenny he was “irreplaceable.”

“On behalf of all of us here tonight, and of course the entire nation, I’ve got to say you are 100% totally, utterly – am I right when I say – he’s irreplaceable,” she said.

Sir Lenny commented: “I don’t want to make too much fuss, it’s been an honour and a joy… it’s so not about me, it’s about the mirth and the money, it’s about comedy and compassion.”

Earlier in the night, the first total was announced at £21,700,628, but what was the final amount at the end of the show and how much has Comic Relief raised so far this year?

How much did Red Nose Day raise this year?

Revealing the Red Nose Day total during the show on BBC One, Sir Lenny said: “Red Nose nation. Your generosity has brought tonight’s total, so far, to a phenomenal £37,019,832.”

Elsewhere on the show, Hollywood actors including Julia Roberts, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson made a special appearance to argue among each other to be named the most famous in a comedy sketch.

The cast of spoof comedy series W1A, including Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville and Spaced actress Jessica Hynes, reunited to search for a new host and Steve Coogan appeared as his alter-ego Alan Partridge alongside comedian and actor Tim Key.

There were also musical appearances from Paloma Faith and the West End stage show Just For One Day, based on the 1985 benefit concert Live Aid, organised by Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.

Recommended reading:

In a music video, Sir Lenny joked he would turn 10 Downing Street into a “dope ass Premier Inn” while singing a spoof of the Oscar-nominated song I’m Just Ken from blockbuster film Barbie.

The comedian wore a white fur coat and blonde wig as he sang I’m Just Len and contemplated becoming prime minister, following his final stint as host of Red Nose Day.

After the video aired, Sir Lenny joked he had been planning the song “way before” Barbie actor Ryan Gosling performed it at this year’s Academy Awards.