Sport Relief 2016 guide: James Corden, Idris Elba, Little Britain and LOADS more

What time it starts, who's on when and EVERYTHING you need to know

greg james sports relief 2016 landscape

by Helen Burke |
Published on

Sport Relief is back and it’s BIGGER than ever before.

Hands up who’s excited?!

Shoots both hands up in the air in delight

The BBC charity event airs tonight (Friday 18 March) and brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money to help the vulnerable people across the world.

In the words of TOWIE’s resident G Tommy Mallet: BIG respect for that. Yeahboi.

Over the years, the show has provided us with gems such as a Kylie Minogue and Jason Donavon singing reunion, and the hilarious footballers' edition of Mastermind, hosted by David Walliams.

And who could forget when tennis star Andy Murray partnered up with Hugh Dennis to help reveal his true self?

Sports Relief kicks off at 7pm on BBC1. Here's who's appearing and when. Timings may change, obvs.

sports relief 2016
Davina McCall

7pm: Gary Lineker and David Walliams are Sport Relief 2016's hosts for the evening. They'll be presenting the show, introducing the various sketches and segments, and hopefully providing some LOLs.

7.10pm: Clash Of The Titans is BACK. Sporting legends Sir Steve Redgrave and Freddie Flintoff go head-to-head as captains in the competition to begin the show. The first challenge sees heat faves Paddy McGuiness and Harry Judd battling it out in a wrestling match.

sports relief 2016
Clash Of The Titans

WARNING: these scenes will contain A LOT of Lycra.

7.20pm: Next is the return of David Walliams as the legendary Little Britain character Emily Howard, in a sketch alongside former England striker and king of the robot Peter Crouch.

sports relief 2016
Little Britain

7.30pm: Jo Brand celebrates her Hell of A Walk challenge in which she travelled from one side of the country to the other in just seven days. Need a Compeed, pet?

8pm: Russell Kane competes with Will Young in an awesome sycronised swimming competition. Given Russ' penchant for whipping his clothes off, we're pretty excited about this...

8.30pm: It's time to welcome a new presenting trio to the mix. John Bishop, Claudia Winkleman and Davina McCall will be larking about on camera, doing gawd only knows what.

8:45pm: After 40 whole years, Michael Crawford is back as Frank Spencer in this one-off return of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (ask your ma). Keep your eyes peeled for a cameo appearance from the cycling legend Sir Bradley Wiggins.

claudia winkleman sports relief 2016
Claudia Winkleman

9pm: Catch up with Eddie Izzard live from South Africa. The British comedian is currently attempting to run 27 marathons in 27 days to raise money. We’re knackered just thinking about it.

9.30pm: Rio Ferdinand, Lenny Henry, David Hayes, Denise Lewis, Louis Smith, Ruth Wilson, Ian Wright and Cecila Noble join our fave detective Idris Elba in a special one-off case for Luther. FIT.

Luther Idris Elba Sports Relief 2016
Luther Sport Relief 2016

**10pm: TIME TO SWITCH OVER TO BBC2 WHILE THE NEWS IS ON. GO, GO, GO. **

Just after 10pm: Gavin & Stacey's Smithy is BACK, and this time James Corden’s ever-enthusiastic character is attempting to become Fifa President. AND he’s even managed to get footy stars Pele and Stevie Gerrard to help him with his campaign.

sports relief 2016
James Corden

10.15pm: The Alpha Papa makes his return! Bumbling radio presenter character Alan Partridge will join the telethon with his characteristic ineptitude.

10:25pm: After Alan has caused enough of a scene, Greg James talks us through his gruelling Gregathalon challenge in which he completed five triathlons in five days.

greg james sports relief 2016
Greg James

10.35pm: Grab your remote and head straight back over to BBC1. THANKS, THE NEWS.

Just after 10.35pm: Triathalon king Greg James and Alesha Dixon take over presenting duties and introduce a clip in which comedian Jack Whitehall gets to meet footballer Gareth Bale, alongside Alan Partridge.

sports relief 2016
Louis Smith

10.35pm – 1am: We find out if Team Redgrave or Team Flintoff has taken the Clash Of The Titans trophy home with them. Drumroll please…

Rest of the night: There'll be plenty of surprise guests, performances from Birdy and James Bay – who will also be singing a live version of the official Sport Relief single Running – and loads more. Get stuck in!

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