RTÉ has today announced Baz Ashmawy as a fifth presenter of RTÉ Does Comic Relief which takes place next Friday 26th June on RTÉ One.

The show has been extended due to the phenomenal line-up of stars from comedy, entertainment and sport with more being added in the run up to Friday. All are joining forces to raise a laugh, as well as, much needed funds for the Irish charity sector.

On joining Nicky, Jen, Deirdre and Eoghan in studio this Friday night, Baz said: “I’m over the moon to be involved with Comic Relief. After what everyone’s been through the country really deserves a laugh. When I heard the line-up I was just blown away. It’s going to be awesome. It’s going to be a huge treat. We all get to raise a few quid for some well deserving charities and raise a few smiles at the same time. It’s a win win“.

RTÉ Does Comic Relief will be hosted by Deirdre O’Kane, Nicky Byrne, Baz Ashmawy, Jennifer Zamparelli, and Eoghan McDermott and will feature a range of performances and contributions (and the occasional glitzy showbiz reunion) from the likes of Dara O’Briain, Hozier, Amy Huberman, Bridget & Eamon, Chris O’Dowd, Jason Byrne, Normal People’s Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones, Andrew Scott, Niall Horan, Pat Shortt, Foil, Arms and Hog, The 2 Johnnies, Una Healy, Roy Keane, Conor McPherson, Aisling Bea, John Bishop, David Mitchell, Oliver Jeffers, Soulé, The Derry Girls, Paths To Freedom, Waterford Whispers News, Anne Doyle, Andrew Maxwell, Ed Byrne, Roisín Ó, Jimmy Carr, Saoirse Ronan, Mairead Farrell, Risteard Cooper, Neil Delamere, Brian O’Driscoll, Lenny Abrahamson, Nathan Carter, Paul Howard, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Dustin, Ray D’Arcy, Zig & Zag, Christy Moore, Dawn O’Porter, and many, many more…

The marathon show will be broadcast live from RTÉ studios from 8pm and promises to be an unmissable night’s entertainment packed full of showbiz reunions and comedy sketches with unexpected celebrity collaborations, live studio performances, lip-syncs, dance and sport challenges and much more.

RTÉ and Comic Relief’s charity partner for the event is The Community Foundation For Ireland who will distribute the funds raised. One of Ireland’s leading philanthropic organisations with extensive expertise in grant making in Ireland, the Community Foundation for Ireland was established in 2000 and has a strong working relationship with over 4,000 non-profit organisations at a national, regional and local level throughout Ireland.

About The Community Foundation for Ireland

The Community Foundation for Ireland believes in a fair, caring and vibrant Ireland for now and the future. We work with individuals, families, corporates and other trusts and foundations to enable strategic and impactful giving.

We have been in existence since 2000 and last year we gave out €8.15 million to communities in Ireland and abroad. We have extensive experience of grant-making from working with over 4,000 non-profit organisations at a national, regional and local level throughout Ireland and overseas. With over 1,800 community foundations globally, the community foundation model is proven and effective model for social change.

 All funds raised from the RTÉ Does Comic Relief campaign will be ring-fenced and distributed by the Community Foundation for Ireland as grants following an open call which will be held in July/August 2020. The fund will be used to support communities around Ireland in the recovery and rebuilding stage after the Covid-19 lock down, helping society to adjust to the new realities. The open call will invite charities and community and voluntary groups to apply for grants to help them support those most in need due to Covid-19. 

 For more information, please visit www.communityfoundation.ie

 About Comic Relief’s activities in Ireland

Comic Relief’s activities in Ireland have been spearheaded by comedian Deirdre O’Kane, TV producer Darren Smith, Talent Agent Jane Russell, Advertising Exec Patrick Hickey, Accountant Ciaran Medlar and Lawyer David Phelan. This group is working in conjunction with RTÉ, Comic Relief International and the Community Foundation for Ireland (CFI) across all aspects of the campaign.  The group founders have previously staged three gala nights of stand-up comedy at the 3Arena; the shows raised more than €600k, which has been distributed by CFI to a variety of Irish charities such as Focus Ireland, The Simon Community and Trocaire.

 ‘RTÉ Does Comic Relief’ is a licensee of Comic Relief Limited. Since its inception in 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £1 billion to support people living incredibly tough lives both in the UK and internationally. Through humour and stories of hope, we’ve shown that people can make a massive difference. We fund amazing organisations who are working on the ground to support the most vulnerable people and communities in society including many of those hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis. This includes vulnerable children and young people, people who are homeless or living in extreme poverty, women and families at risk of domestic abuse and those struggling with existing or new mental health problems.
For more info visit www.comicrelief.com

Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)