Comic Relief saw Hollywood actors Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd appear on the show via video link on Friday night.
It came as Sir Lenny Henry broke down in tears as he looked back on his 39 years as host of Comic Relief while presenting the show for the last time on Friday night.
It was revealed that the comedian, 65, had helped raise a whopping £1.5B since his first telethon in 1988 and was joined by A-listers including Julia, 56, and Paul, 54.
They weren’t alone as Hollywood heavyweights Olivia Colman, Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant also joined in to thank Lenny for his service.
Comic Relief this year hosted an ensemble team which included Maya Jama and Alex Scott, David Tennant.
Comic Relief saw Hollywood actors Julia Roberts, 56, (pictured) and Paul Rudd, 54, appear on the show via video link on Friday night
It came as Sir Lenny Henry broke down in tears as he looked back on his 39 years as host of Comic Relief while presenting the show for the last time on Friday night
It was revealed the comedian, 65, had helped raise a whopping £1.5B since his first telethon in 1988 and was joined by A-listers including Julia and Paul (pictured)
It is Lenny’s last stint as host of Red Nose Day after nearly four decades at the helm.
The comedian and actor co-founded Comic Relief in 1985 with Love Actually screenwriter Richard Curtis and will continue to serve as life president.
Sir Lenny said: ‘The money that people have sent in repeatedly, every single time, has helped over 100 million people.
‘That’s a lot of people, and there aren’t many organizations that can say that.’
He added: ‘If you’ve helped do that, thank you and it’s not about numbers anymore.
‘It’s about what you feel you can give because we know there’s a battle going on at the moment. People are having a hard time.’
Money raised by Red Nose Day goes to organizations that help tackle homelessness, poverty and mental health, along with other causes in the UK and around the world.
There will also be a tribute to Sir Lenny from singer Jerub, while the cast of spoof comedy series W1A – including Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville and Spaced actress Jessica Hynes – reunite on the night to search for a new host.
This year’s edition also saw Hollywood actors including Julia Roberts, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson make special appearances to vie to be named the most famous in a comedy sketch for the fundraiser.
The actors performed a skit and were joined by fellow Hollywood heavyweights Olivia Colman (pictured), Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant
Emma, 64, will soon appear in the US action thriller The Fisherwoman with comic actress Judy Greer
Hugh, 63, currently stars in the American political satire series The Regime with Kate Winslet on HBO
Titanic star Kate, 48, treated Comic Relief viewers to a late night CBeebies Bedtime Story aimed at parents as she read F***, Now There Are Two Of You by Adam Mansbach
Kate Winslet, Jamie Dornan and Catherine Tate also provided entertainment on the night, while pop rock band McFly open the show with a medley of some of the best-loved Comic Relief singles from the past few years.
Titanic star Kate, 48, treated viewers to a late-night CBeebies Bedtime Story aimed at parents as she read F***, Now There Are Two Of You by Adam Mansbach.
Actor Jack Black also issued a musical call to action, and singer Paloma Faith will perform her new single, Enjoy Yourself (The Red Nose Day Edition).
Doctor Who star Catherine Tate was among the stars of a spin-off of the BBC’s hit reality show The Traitors, titled The Traitors: The Movie.