Months after her brain tumour operation, Davina McCall is gearing up for her return to live TV as she prepares for Comic Relief’s 40th anniversary with a star-studded cast.

Davina McCall is looking forward to her return to live TV hosting for Comic Relief’s 40th anniversary – but she’s concerned over how hectic Red Nose Day can be.

As Comic Relief celebrates its 40th anniversary on the BBC, all eyes are on Alison Hammond to keep the energy buzzing and the money rolling in. The This Morning favourite is bringing her signature joy to the big night.

“Even with comedians around, Alison Hammond will be the biggest source of laughter,” says Jonathan Ross. “She’s a human dynamo – I’m looking forward to hearing her infectious laugh.”

Joining Alison, 50, and Jonathan for Red Nose Day’s night of TV are Rylan, Alesha Dixon, Davina McCall, and Joel Dommett. They’ll lead the BBC One coverage from 7pm to 10pm, before Tom Allen and AJ Odudu take over on BBC Two at 10pm.

Jonathan Ross, 64, is making a special return to Comic Relief, having co-hosted the first televised Red Nose Day show in 1988 with Sir Lenny Henry and Griff Rhys Jones.

“It was an incredibly exciting time,” he says, “I’ve stayed on the periphery, stepping in whenever asked. When they invited me back, it felt like a great way to commemorate the first show.”

For Tom, 41, Comic Relief was a childhood highlight. “I’ve always loved the anarchy,” he says, “When I was at school it was amazing because everyone got to wear a Red Nose in assembly!” He’s also thrilled to reunite with AJ, saying: “She’s the best, we always laugh together.”

Davina, 57, is no stranger to Comic Relief and she knows how chaotic things can get. “Everyone backstage is encouraging, warm and funny,” she says, “But you never know what’s going to happen. You just know that even if things go off-piste, everybody can keep the show going.

Davina McCall is returning to live TV hosting as she gears up for Comic Relief’s 40th anniversary on Friday, March 21st ( 
Image:
BBC/Comic Relief /Nicky Johnston)

The Masked Singer star has been recovering from a brain operation after being diagnosed with a rare type of benign brain tumour – her partner Michael Douglas stood by her side throughout her recovery ( 
Image:
Getty Images for the NTA’s)
Last year, The Masked Singer star was diagnosed with a rare type of benign brain tumour, a colloid cyst, after a routine health scan and she announced she’d undergo surgery to have it removed.

On November 15, 2024, her partner Michael Douglas then took to Instagram on her behalf announcing she would be “off-grid” as she recovered from her operation. “She is in great shape and in very good hands,” he wrote at the time.

Days later, Davina relayed an emotional video on her account, penning a message for her two million followers. “I am feeling much better . Had a great night’s sleep in my own bed . Have a couple of sleeps during the day which keeps my brain clear … slowly slowly,” she’d written.

Davina will join a star-studded cast for Comic Relief this year, including Rylan, Alison Hammond, Joel Dommett, Alesha Dixon and Jonathan Ross. The ITV presenter hosted the first ever Comic Relief night in 1988 ( 
Image:
BBC/ITV Studios/Matt Frost)

Davina, Jonathan, Alison, Alesha and Joel will take the reins from 7pm, allowing Tom Allen and AJ Odudu to take over on BBC Two from 10pm ( 
Image:
BBC/Freemantle/Matt Frost)In January, Michael revealed Davina had returned to filming for The Masked Singer with a behind-the-scenes video of he hair routine. By the end of the month, she’d been reunited with her Heart FM co-star Jamie Theakston, who’d been recovering from a health scare of his own after being diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.

Now Davina is set to host BBC One’s live coverage for Red Nose Day on Friday, March 21. More surprises and challenges await BBC viewers from Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones’ 24-hour skatethon to Jamie Laing’s mammoth ultra-marathon to help raise funds

Emma Willis and Asim Chaudhry will then round off Comic Relief’s 40th Birthday celebrations with the hour-long documentary Comic Relief: 40 Years of Funny, aired from 10.40pm on BBC One. Another night of Red Nose-stalgia you won’t want to miss.

Expect the BBC to go all out for this milestone, delivering top-tier sketches from Strictly, Beyond Paradise and more. Oasis is even set to get the Red Nose Day treatment!

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