RTÉ Comic Relief – here’s what to expect from tonight’s show

RTÉ’s Comic Relief takes place tonight from 8 pm – here is everything you need to know about tonight’s show from the stars to the sketches

Many of us will know Comic Relief as the British charity founded by director Richard Curtis and comedian Sir Lenny Henry. However, now it is coming to our shores for a very special evening indeed.

RTÉ in association with Comic Relief will tonight host its first charity telethon in 13 years.

It will be a night filled with comedic excellence and celebrities near and far.

And here is everything you need to know.

What is it?

Deirdre O’ Kane, Darren Smith, and RTÉ have teamed up with Comic Relief to bring together the best of Irish comedy and entertainment for a night of laughs and thrills. The evening will be hosted by Deirdre O’Kane, Nicky Byrne, Baz Ashmawy, Jennifer Zamparelli and Eoghan McDermott.

Most importantly, this evening’s show is all about raising funds for the Irish charity sector which has been badly hit by the Covid-19 crisis.

The show begins at 8pm tonight on RTÉ One.

For #RTEComicRelief @weemissbea has been writing jokes for @Hozier and once she finds a theme she really sticks to it.#RTEComicRelief – Friday at 8
You can donate at https://www.communityfoundation.ie/grants/types-of-grants/rte-does-comic-relief pic.twitter.com/TECabB6vcb

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) June 24, 2020

Who is in it?

It is a star-studded affair. There will be contributions and performances by the likes of Dara Ó Briain, Hozier, Amy Huberman, Bridget & Eamon, Chris O’Dowd, Jason Byrne, Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, Andrew Scott, Niall Horan, Pat Shortt, Foil Arms & Hog, The 2 Johnnies, Una Healy, Roy Keane, Aisling Bea, John Bishop, David Mitchell, Oliver Jeffers, Soulé, the Derry Girls, Paths to Freedom, Waterford Whispers News, Andrew Maxwell, Ed Byrne, Roisín Ó, Jimmy Carr, Saoirse Ronan, Mairéad Farrell, Risteárd Cooper, Neil Delamere, Brian O’Driscoll, Lenny Abrahamson, Paul Howard, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Dustin, Ray D’Arcy, Zig and Zag, Christy Moore and Dawn O’Porter and many more.

What should I look out for?

Seeing as there has not yet been a vaccine created for ‘Normal People fever’, a very special sketch of the show written by Conor McPherson, directed by Lenny Abrahamson and starring both Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones will air tonight. An Older Normal People skit starring Deirdre O’ Kane and her Moone Boy co-star Peter McDonald will also be a highlight.

Now this is a Zoom call we wouldn’t mind being on. The Derry Girls do #RTEComicRelief, Friday at 8pm | @comicrelief

To donate, head to https://t.co/T2QBAFKA0c ? pic.twitter.com/C9Eyk75jFt

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) June 25, 2020

For the adults who grew up with The Den Ray D’Arcy teams up with Zig & Zag and Dustin the Turkey once again. Pat Shortt will be joined by his daughter Faye. While Derry Girls and Lisa McGee will contribute and a revival of The Panel with Dara Ó Briain will also take place.

Where is the money going?

The charity partner for the event is The Community Foundation For Ireland who will distribute the funds between 4,000 non-profit organisations.

You can make a donation here while more info on how you can donate will be explained during the show.

Read more: WATCH: the season 4 trailer for The Handmaid’s Tale

Read more: Netflix’s ‘Athlete A’ is the powerful documentary you need to see

Read more: You’ve streamed the video, made the donation. Now read the backstory to RuthAnne’s Irish Women in Harmony