Overview

• Comic Relief's 40th anniversary event raised £32 million, bringing its total fundraising over four decades to more than £1.6 billion.
• The live broadcast featured comedy sketches from BBC shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Gladiators, as well as performances by Sugababes and Rock Choir.
• Sir Lenny Henry reflected on Comic Relief's founding in 1985 to address famine in East Africa and its evolution, including initiatives like Sport Relief and malaria prevention.
• Davina McCall emotionally shared her experience of undergoing surgery to remove a benign brain tumor during the broadcast.
• Critics noted a decline in the comedic and entertainment quality of the event, raising concerns about its appeal to younger audiences.