Sara Cox to star in special Amandaland for Red Nose Day

Comic Relief: Funny for Money will air on the BBC this Friday and among the famous faces taking part will be Sara, who in a world of Amandas will be playing here self.

The BBC’s number one comedy of 2025 Amandaland gets the Red Nose Day treatment with big names and laughs.

Comical chaos is set to ensue in ‘Amandas-land’ when Amanda (Lucy Punch), joined by Anne (Philippa Dunne), are invited to BBC Broadcasting House for a special live radio interview with Sara– and the pair unexpectedly encounter some of TV’s most legendary Amandas.

Caught up in the comedy of errors are Amanda Holden, Amanda Lamb, Amanda Barrie, Amanda Byram and Amanda Collier. Sara Cox’s overwhelmed radio producer is played by Lydia West, and the production runner is played by Lucia Keskin.

A BBC spokesman said: “Expect mix-ups, misunderstandings, and classic slapstick humour in this unmissable Comic Relief Amandaland special.”

Amandaland is a spin-off of Motherland which stars Bolton’s Diane Morgan.

Sara said: “It’s been incredible – I mean I was playing the DJ, so it wasn’t that much of a stretch, but it was just brilliant to work with actual Amanda from Amandaland, and so many iconic Amandas. I mean come on, we had Lamb, we had Holden, we had Barrie – who I grew up with, not literally – but on Coronation Street. So, it’s been an incredible time pretending to be an actor and getting to work with amazing Lydia West who was playing my producer. What a morning, I’m absolutely buzzing!”

She added: “This Red Nose Day there are a host of ways to get involved and Take Yourself Funny for Money. Whether it is donating or fundraising, it is an opportunity for the nation to come together and show that simple acts of silliness can make a serious difference. For more information on how to get involved, donate, or to order your free Red Nose Day fundraising pack, visit the Comic Relief website.”

Amanda Holden said: “I can’t quite believe I’m involved in this Amandaland sketch for Comic Relief and I’m going now to meet the rest of the cast! I am a massive, massive fan of Amandaland. We watch it religiously in our house, so it’s a little bit of an out of body experience for me, especially because my name gets mentioned in the sitcom quite a bit!

“The premise is that there’s been a mix up and we’ve all come to the same place but aren’t all meant to be here! It might go slightly awry, and it might be that Anne is the star of the show in the end!”

And viewers can get a behind the scenes look at the filming of the sketch on The One Show on Thursday 19 March, from 7pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Comic Relief: Funny for Money is live from MediaCityUK in Salford on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Friday 20 March from 7pm, and for the very first time, live streamed simultaneously on the official BBC YouTube channel.

The money raised this Red Nose Day could help people access food, shelter and safety – the vital essentials everyone needs to survive.