Comic Relief saw Hollywood actors Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd appear on the show via video link on Friday evening.
It came as Sir Lenny Henry broke down in tears as he reflected on his 39 years as presenter of Comic Relief as he presented the show for the final time on Friday evening.
It was revealed that the comedian, 65, had raised a whopping £1.5 billion since his first telethon in 1988 and was joined by A-listers including Julia, 56, and Paul, 54.
They weren’t alone as Hollywood heavyweights Olivia Colman, Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant also stopped by to thank Lenny for his services.
Comic Relief was organized this year by an ensemble team including Maya Jama and Alex Scott, David Tennant.
Comic Relief saw Hollywood actors Julia Roberts, 56, (pictured) and Paul Rudd, 54, appear on the show via video link on Friday evening
It came as Sir Lenny Henry broke down in tears as he reflected on his 39 years as host of Comic Relief as he presented the show for the final time on Friday evening.
It was revealed that the 65-year-old comedian had raised a whopping £1.5 billion since his first telethon in 1988 and was joined by A-listers including Julia and Paul (pictured)
It is Lenny’s final stint as host of Red Nose Day, after nearly four decades at the helm.
The comedian and actor co-founded Comic Relief in 1985 with Love Actually screenwriter Richard Curtis and will continue to serve as life president.
Sir Lenny said: ‘The money that people have sent in repeatedly, every time, has helped more than 100 million people.
“That’s a lot of people and there aren’t many organizations that can say that.”
He added: “If you helped with that, thank you and it’s not about numbers anymore.
“It’s about what you think you can give, because we know there’s a battle going on right now. People are having a hard time.’
The money raised by Red Nose Day will go to organizations helping to tackle homelessness, poverty and mental health, along with other causes in Britain and around the world.
There will also be tributes to Sir Lenny from singer Jerub, while the cast of parody comedy series W1A – including Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville and Spaced actress Jessica Hynes – will reunite on the evening to look for a new presenter.
This year’s edition also saw Hollywood actors including Julia Roberts, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson in attendance to discuss whether they should be named the most famous in a comedy skit for the fundraising programme.
The actors performed a skit and were joined by fellow Hollywood heavyweights Olivia Colman (pictured), Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant
Emma, 64, will soon appear in the American action thriller The Fisherwoman with comedy actress Judy Greer
Hugh, 63, can currently be seen in the American political satire series The Regime with Kate Winslet on HBO
Titanic star Kate, 48, treated Comic Relief viewers to a late-night CBeebies Bedtime Story aimed at parents as she read F***, Now There Are Two Of You by Adam Mansbach
Kate Winslet, Jamie Dornan and Catherine Tate also provided entertainment during the evening, while pop rock band McFly will open the show with a medley of some of the best-loved Comic Relief singles of recent years.
Titanic star Kate, 48, treated viewers to a late-night CBeebies Bedtime Story aimed at parents as she read F***, Now There Are Two Of You by Adam Mansbach.
Actor Jack Black also made a musical call to action and singer Paloma Faith will perform her new single Enjoy Yourself (The Red Nose Day Edition).
Doctor Who star Catherine Tate was one of the stars in a spin-off of the BBC’s hit reality game show The Traitors, titled The Traitors: The Movie.