Miranda Hart is one of BBC’s most beloved comedy stars and regularly involved in Comic Relief gags and fundraising stunts down the years.
Ahead of this month’s Red Nose Day, Miranda took us on an emotional look back over her involvement in Comic Relief and explains why it means so much to her…..
Comic Relief is celebrating 40 years—what does that milestone mean to you?
Comic Relief is incredible, and it means an awful lot to me. It’s been part of my life in various, and indeed, surprising ways. I have been a viewer since it began, an admirer, my admiration increasing when I worked there as a PA for nearly 3 years in my late 20’s and saw the passion and change-making first hand, a comedian happily making a fool of myself in the hope of raising money (I was particularly proud of a challenge I did – Miranda’s Mad March – in 2013 which raised £1.3m), and getting to know Richard Curtis as a friend with admiration and respect soaring seeing his dedication to the cause.
Can you remember your first memory of Comic Relief as a viewer?
I am sure I am not the only person to mention Dawn French snogging Hugh Grant! As a huge French and Saunders fan at the time, and of course Hugh being in the height of his rom come power, this event was significant for a teenager at an all-girls boarding school!
What do you think makes Comic Relief so special compared to other charity initiatives?
I am sure there are many things. But ultimately, I think it’s the power of comedy and creativity. Comic Relief created a community of viewers and performers connected in their love of funny, but, vitally, an authenticity that both were watching and performing for a bigger reason. A united cause. Comic Relief highlighted the desperate need, that we may not have realised was, at times, even on our door step. The combination of compassion and comedy is very powerful.
Do you have a personal highlight from Comic Relief’s history, beyond your own involvement?
I might sound obsessed if I say Dawn French and Hugh Grant again, so I will say the McFly It’s All About You video. I love that song!
What first inspired you to get involved with Comic Relief?
Watching the first two or three Red Nose Day’s as a teenager and beyond I found deeply inspiring. I was grateful to have been aware of the world ’s inequality and people’s desperation for basic needs at that age, to open my eyes and to never forget it. That’s simply the reason to get involved in Comic Relief. To help a fellow human. I remember when I worked at the charity being shocked that there was so much poverty in this country and ashamed I didn’t know the statistics.
You’ve taken part in so many Comic Relief events—do you have a standout moment that was the most fun?
I won’t ever forget a moment during the filming of a sketch at the Albert Hall during a tennis tournament there. The conceit was that I had been mistaken for Goran Ivanisevic in the locker room and had to go out and play Tim Henman! My greatest dream when I was younger was to win Wimbledon (still is…) so combining my two great loves in comedy and tennis was pretty special.
Which of your Comic Relief challenges or sketches pushed you out of your comfort zone the most?
I am IN my comfort zone when performing comedy, so I would say it was being woken up at 3 a.m on a tour bus to do a stint of cycling when a group of us completed a cycling challenge John O Groats to Lands End without stopping. And I also came face to face with Patrick Keilty’s nether regions as he was in the bunk opposite me. That was definitely out of my comfort zone.
Your involvement spans over a decade—what has kept you coming back to support it time and time again?
Apart from seeing other comedians nether regions…. It’s basically Richard Curtis’s fault. He asks and you say yes. He’s always apologising for asking, but I keep reminding him it’s the greatest privilege to be part of such an important charity and knowing that what I do on TV can have a life changing impact on someone with funds raised. None of us gets away without being vulnerable in some way at some time, but in my vulnerability of suffering from a long term chronic illness, I have always had the privilege of a roof over my head, food, clean water, warmth, and financial and good relational support. I cannot imagine life without those basic needs that everyone deserves.
You’ve visited Comic Relief-funded projects—was there a particular person or story that really stuck with you?
Whether it’s Hanwell or Uganda, I am struck by the power of connection and the change for someone when their story or their situation is seen and heard with compassion. That is always deeply moving – everyone deserves dignity and seeing the lack of that is so painful. But the power of it returning when people are acknowledged – I won’t forget witnessing that.
How do those real-life experiences change the way you see Comic Relief as a whole?
Well, you certainly remember it’s not about a TV show in those moments. That’s the conduit, and a powerful and joyful one, but knowing the hard work and commitment that goes into funding projects that make the daily lives of people wholly change means you see it as life-giving organisation with an amazingly dedicated team and not just a ‘fun idea’. I worked in the grants department when I worked in the offices there and they were some of the most compassionate, sincere, and joyful people I have met.
How would you describe the feeling of seeing firsthand where the money raised actually goes?
It was very humbling. And not wanting to be the same afterwards. It made me ever more attuned to issues in this world and I am more compassionate towards anyone I come across because of it. We are all in this world together, all struggling in some way, and it’s so easy to forget that.
Comic Relief thrives on using comedy to make a difference—why do you think comedy is such a powerful tool for change?
I am not sure I am wise or clever enough to give an answer to that. But, for me, I have always felt that sharing a laugh is the safest and easiest way to connect with another. It breaks down barriers and it’s true joy – and joy can hold the good and the bad together. So I think a laugh also means we are holding darkness and difficulty together too. I think that’s us humans at our best.
Is there a particular sketch or comedy moment from Comic Relief’s history that always makes you laugh?
Pretty much anything that French and Saunders did makes me laugh. They were so important in inspiring many of my peers, and I will always still laugh at their performances. I think I nearly wet myself in one take of doing the Mamma Mia spoof.
If you could create your dream Comic Relief sketch, what would it be?
It would be doing a sketch with Eric Morecambe, Joyce Grenfell and Victoria Wood. I look forward to doing that in heaven.
Will you be doing anything for Comic Relief this year?
I am waiting for Richard’s call!
You were on Let’s Dance for Comic Relief, what are your memories of this and how did you think your friend Sarah Hadland did in Strictly Come Dancing? Did you enjoy watching her?
I was a judge for an episode on Let’s Dance rather than a contestant and I have so much respect for anyone who dances on TV who isn’t professional. Now THAT is out of my comfort zone, despite loving dancing. (Although I am having a flashback to dancing with Pasha from Strictly for Miranda’s Mad March live on The One Show – I obviously blocked it out!) Luckily I got to live Strictly (as a super fan) vicariously through my tiny elf of a friend Sarah Hadland, and she just made my Autumn because of it!
* Miranda Hart is supporting this year’s Red Nose Day campaign, which returns on Friday 21 March. There are lots of ways to get involved and do something funny for money – including buying a Red Nose on Amazon now, with free delivery for all customers.
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.