Editor
Some of Britain’s most famous faces united to entertain the nation as part of BBC One’s Big Night In , which raised more than £27 million to help support vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic.
The programme featured a new Little Britain sketch for the first time in more than 10 years , a lockdown version of The Trip by Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, and even a surprise performance from the Duke of Cambridge.
Prince William appeared in a Blackadder sketch alongside Stephen Fry just before the Clap for Carers took place at 8pm.
He told the actor and comedian: “On my way, let me just see if I can find my socks, and my shoes, and my trousers.”
Alongside a host of performances and celebrity appearances, Chancellor Rishi Sunak also appeared on the programme, saying that the Government would match all donations.
Mr Sunak said: “We are all worried, worried about our health, our friends, our family, but I also know when we look back and remember that in this time of crisis that we came together as a country.
“We were there for each other and that is what the Big Night In is all about.
That Catherine Tate sketch was amaaaazing #BigNightIn
— realmattlucas (@RealMattLucas) April 23, 2020
“I’m so grateful to everyone who has donated tonight and don’t forget the Government has pledged to match every pound you donate, so please do give generously.”
There were also comedy performances from David Tennant and Catherine Tate, Miranda Hart and Dawn French.
Sam Smith performed an isolation version of his song Lay Me Down, while Celeste sang a cover of Bill Withers’ Lean On Me.
Foo Fighters also led a star-studded group of musicians including Dua Lipa and Chris Martin in a charity cover of their song Times Like These.
A reworked version of the music video for Peter Kay’s (Is This The Way To) Amarillo, which featured members of the public and emergency service workers, was also aired during the programme .
YouTuber Joe Sugg gave his girlfriend Dianne Buswell a lockdown haircut while the programme was being broadcast.
There were also a number of charity appeals during the programme, which was raising funds to provide support to local projects and programmes across the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
Honoured to be a part of this, the Stay Home Live Lounge cover of Times Like These is out now. Thank you for having me @BBCR1 ❤ https://t.co/c27lxND7Jy pic.twitter.com/MwcuScSQR0
— Mabel (@Mabel) April 23, 2020
At the beginning of the programme Sir Lenny Henry, who was presenting the programme, said: “It is important to know you may be at home but you are not alone.”
The programme was a collaboration between BBC Children In Need and Comic Relief and was raising money for the two charities.
News from The Evening Standard
