As we reported last week, David Tennant has been confirmed as one of the co-hosts of the 2019 Red Nose Day Live TV Show on Friday 15th March. The marathon TV event will air from 7pm to 12.30am on BBC One, and David will be appearing in part of the first section between 7pm and 10pm, sharing presenting duties Zoe Ball. 

In this new interview David reveals why Comic Delief is important to him...

Why did you want to get involved in Comic Relief this year?

 The same reason I always want to get involved with Comic Relief - it’s such a great charity and does some incredible good. Comic Relief is a national institution. It’s great fun. It’s a night that I always enjoy watching and being a part of. It’s like national service-if you get a call from Comic Relief, you don’t say no.

 Are you nervous/excited to present in front of a live TV audience?

 I’ve presented once before for Comic Relief. That was the first time I’d ever done it - but then I hadn’t been asked to do it since! So I’m very grateful that they are willing to take that risk again. From what I remember of live TV, it’s quite chaotic and in the moment. My very limited experience of live TV would tell me just to roll with it on the night. I’m very pleased that I’ll be presenting alongside Zoe Ball! She’s got live broadcasting running through her blood, so I can rely on her to do all the difficult stuff!

 Have you worked with any of the other presenters before?

 I’ve been on Zoe’s show on the radio a couple of times over the years. She’s always lovely and charming and funny. I’m very pleased to have been twinned with her for Red Nose Day. I also know Lenny from Broadchurch. I was going to say that Comic Relief is more of his actual home, but these days his natural home is also classical acting! He’s got a wonderful dual career. But Comic Relief wouldn’t be Comic Relief without Lenny. He’s the spirit animal of Comic Relief.

 What do you think of when you think of Comic Relief?

 Comic Relief is one of those beautifully brilliant and bonkers British ideas. It’s part of the national furniture. As a school kid I always looked forward to it coming around. As a student I went busking for it in Glasgow. Me and my mate Alan did a Proclaimers tribute act during drama school lunch hours. It’s one of those things that I’ve grown up with. It’s always something exciting to be part of. It’s a really fun and exciting national moment - and it really changes lives. I had the privilege of going to see some of the work the charities have done overseas and I was moved and also cheered by it. I was depressed by what is needed and cheered by what is possible. That’s always a reason to come back and support the charity.


The show will include celebrity performances, comedy sketches, live music including a performance from Louis Tomlinson, highlights from this year’s challenges and films about the incredible work Comic Relief supports. 

Red Nose Day was launched in 1988 and has become something of a British institution. It’s the day, every two years, when people across the land can get together and raise money at home, school and work and have a laugh doing it! There’s also a fantastic night of TV on the BBC, with comedy and entertainment to inspire the nation to give generously. Comic Relief spends the money raised by Red Nose Day and sister event Sport Relief to help people living tough lives across the UK and internationally.

Find out more and donate online at www.comicrelief.com