How did Comic Relief start off

A. Comic Relief was launched from a refugee camp in Sudan in 1985 on Noel Edmonds' Late Late Breakfast Show on BBC One on Christmas Day. It was appealing for funds for the famine in Ethiopia.

Q. So, was it all TV stars helping out

A. It began with a few live events drawing support from across comedy culminating in Red Nose Day in 1988, which uniquely brought comedy and charity together on national television.

Q. Which celebs were first involved

A. The first night of television was presented by Lenny Henry, Griff Rhys Jones and Jonathon Ross and raised more than 15 million. Since then, Comic Relief has produced six more even bigger Red Nose Days and raised more than 174 million.

Q. What good works has it supported

A. Over the years, Comic Relief in Africa has educated people about AIDS and HIV, taught people to read, immunised children and helped people rebuild their lives after conflict. Across the UK, organisers say it has helped disabled people change prejudice and discrimination, and supported other people in their fight to get their rights recognised. It has also provided escape routes for women living with domestic violence.

Q. Give us some notable highlights from Comic Relief Years

A. The first Red Nose Day included the Young Ones and Blackadder. Mel Smith and Kim WIlde provided Rockin Around the Xmas Tree, which raised 76,610 for Comic Relief the same year. In 1999, an incredible 35 million was raised.

Q. What about this year's event

A. This year's Comic Relief fund-raiser looks set to raise record amounts as cash continues to flow in from around the country. The latest figure following the marathon televison frenzy was 28 million, but this figure will continue to rise until May. And, as well as record fund-raising, Comic Relief's seven-hour televised extravangza attracted record viewing. More than 12.6 million people tuned into to see Billy Connolly dance naked around Piccadilly Cirucs, and the Ali G show with Posh Spice and husband David Beckham attracted 11.9 million viewers. A BBC spokesman said he believed Comic Relief 2001 would turn out to be the biggest ever in terms of donations and viewing figures.

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By Katharine MacColl