BBC viewers were less then impressed with the opening of Comic Relief on Friday night as one familiar face returned to screens.
Tianna Corbin TV Reporter
19:32, 20 Mar 2026
Catherine Tate reprised her role as Nan for Comic Relief this year(Image: BBC)
It’s that time of year once again when well-known faces take part in tough challenges and hilarious sketches to raise money as part of Comic Relief.
On Friday evening (March 20) BBC viewers tuned in to watch Davina McCall oversee the fundraising night alongside Joel Dommett.
The three-hour long show kickstarted with a special message from Sir Lenny Henry, who stepped down from his presenting duties for Comic Relief in 2023 after 39 years.
However, once his message ended people welcomed Catherine Tate to the stage as one of her comedic personas, Nan. Laughing as she walked on, the comedian said: “Hello sweethearts! I’ve come up to see you in Salford for Red Nose Day 2026 if you don’t mind!
Catherine Tate reprised her role as Nan for Comic Relief this year(Image: BBC)
“Well, they’ve asked me to host and I thought, well seeing as I haven’t brought a TV licence in 15 years it’s about time I gave something back.
“So here we are and we’re going to have a right old time of it tonight. We’ve got celebrities galore. You’re right to cheer, we’ve got live music and a couple of other things. I’m sure they thought it through.”
As the audience laughed and applauded Catherine in character, she told the crowd she loved the fact the TV show was live as a spotlight appeared on her.
She then began belting out the song Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen before being joined onstage with backing dancers, who were all dressed as elderly women.
Comic Relief viewers weer less than impressed by the performance(Image: BBC)
However, it looked as though not everyone watching was blown away by the performance as many people took to social media to share their thoughts.
One person said: “#comicrelief Please stop her.” Another wrote: “Catherine Tate presenting as Nan, no offence but I’m not feeling it. #ComicRelief
Someone else shared: “Well #comicrelief got off to a c**p start. Catherine Tate singing. This is awful.” As another wrote: “Nan is annoying me on Red Nose Day already!! Just want presenters not a character!”
Davina and Joel joined Catherine in character after her performance on the BBC show(Image: BBC)
Although some people enjoyed the performance as one person said: “Great to see Catherine Tate reprise the Palladium sketch of Don’t Stop Me Now for #comicrelief”
When she finished, Davina McCall and Joel Dommett joined Catherine on stage as they asked how she was feeling.
She replied: “Oh, I’m alright but I don’t know if you noticed one of them nice young men put his hand right up my canary! An unexpected perk!”
Comic Relief: Funny For Money is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.