Celebrities including Jamie Dornan and Tony Hadley audition for Eurovision sketch in support of Comic Relief.

Graham Norton, Lulu, and Sam Ryder are set to join a mock Eurovision judging panel for this year’s Comic Relief special, where they will assess a series of celebrity auditions, all in aid of charity. The sketch will showcase auditions from well-known faces like actor Jamie Dornan and Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley, offering a mix of amusing and unique performances.

Norton, 59, who is part of the presenting team for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, shared his excitement about the collaboration: “It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together in a lighthearted way. We all work in an industry that thrives on silliness, and it’s great that we can do something fun and important for Comic Relief.”

Ahead of the 2023 Comic Relief, which will air on BBC One on March 17, former Eurovision winner Lulu, who triumphed in 1969 with her song “Boom Bang-A-Bang,” reflected on the qualities of a perfect Eurovision song. When asked, she joked, “If I knew, don’t you think I’d be writing them every year!”

Lulu, now 74, shares fond memories of her victory, which she achieved alongside three other countries in Madrid. Sam Ryder, the UK’s Eurovision entrant from last year, who came second, also expressed his gratitude for being part of the iconic event. “Watching Comic Relief with my parents was such a part of my childhood, and it’s an honour to now be involved with something I loved growing up,” he said.

Miranda Hart, comedian and actress, will also participate in the sketch, auditioning to be the UK’s Eurovision representative. Other celebrities, including pop group The Fizz (Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan, and Jay Aston) and U2’s Bono, will join in to test their Eurovision credentials.

Comic Relief, co-founded by Richard Curtis and Sir Lenny Henry in 1985, continues its mission to raise funds for various causes. This year’s event will tackle issues such as the cost-of-living crisis, homelessness, mental health struggles, and food poverty. In addition to the Eurovision sketch, the 2023 show will feature live sketches, musical performances, and unexpected moments, all hosted by AJ Odudu, David Tennant, Joel Dommett, Paddy McGuinness, and Zoe Ball.

Tune in for Comic Relief 2023 on BBC One at 7pm on March 17 to enjoy the star-studded event.