Comic relief 2024 - reason has lenny henry stepped down from hosting duties?

Comic Relief will air on BBC One this evening, however, it will be the final year comedian Sir Lenny Henry will host the long-running charity telethon. The 65-year-old has been presenting

the fundraising extravaganza since 1988, but he announced earlier this year he's handing over the reins. He's been one of the driving forces behind the fundraising event's

growth for nearly 40 years after co-founding the charity in 1885 with Four Weddings and A Funeral screenwriter and director Richard Curtis. The first Red Nose Day was held in response to the

Ethiopian famine which killed a million people. A total of 30 million viewers helped raise more than £15 million during the eight-hour television broadcast. Moving forward to 2023, the

event raised a staggering £35,310,407 thanks to "the amazing British public and the charity's wonderful partners", according to the Comic Relief website. To date, donations

have surpassed an incredible £1.5 billion, with the money raised providing food, shelter and healthcare to people in the UK and around the globe. But why has Sir Lenny decided to step down

from his presenting duties for Red Nose Day? Speaking on BBC Breakfast earlier this year, Sir Lenny explained of his decision: "This is the last time I will be hosting because I think

it is time we hand over to the new generation. There are all these new comedians with podcasts with millions of followers. "Those guys, or women, should be hosting Comic Relief now so

that the young people and the new influx of viewers can plug into the next stage of Comic Relief." However, there's no need to fret, as Sir Lenny will still be part of the

fundraising efforts and confirmed to BBC viewers he'll "make special appearances". Sir Lenny's handing over his duties to a new successor, with names such as Alesha

Dixon, AJ Odudu and Romesh Ranganathan being thrown into the mix in recent months. Speaking to Radio Times, the funny man insisted: "I'm not going anywhere, I'm just not going

to host on the night. I might still make films for them and do voiceovers and things, but I think it's time for a newer generation to come and take the baton because we've been

carrying it for a long time. "We've got some people, so it's gonna be really, really good. There might be some competition, so I'm looking forward to seeing how that

goes. I hope they oil up and fight in the car park!" It is understood that his replacement as the telethon's presenter is due to be announced on the night of Red Nose Day in a

sketch. He told The Evening Standard: "There are so many people coming up that deserve our attention. There are a lot of people who could easily present Comic Relief.” Red Nose Day

normally consists of hilarious comedy sketches from famous faces, live music and one-off television specials. Some of the prizes on offer this year include a coat from The Traitors worn by

host Claudia Winkleman as well as Taylor Swift tickets. During the broadcast, footage will be shown of a group of celebrities battling unforgiving terrain in temperatures as low as -20.

Laura Whitmore, Vicky Pattison, Alex Scott and Sara Davies braved the "coldest challenge" in the fundraiser's history. _COMIC RELIEF: FUNNY FOR MONEY WILL AIR LIVE ON FRIDAY

AT 7PM ON BBC ONE AND BBC IPLAYER. _