While some BBC viewers initially found Comic Relief lacking in humour, the night took a turn for the better when comedian Lee Mack joined forces with the cast of Beyond Paradise for a surprise crossover. Fans flooded social media, hailing the skit as one of the funniest moments of the evening.
The one-off special saw characters from Not Going Out and Beyond Paradise collide in a hilarious mix-up, thanks to actress Sally Bretton who plays both Lucy (Lee’s wife in Not Going Out) and Martha Lloyd (DI Humphrey Goodman’s fiancée in Beyond Paradise). The cleverly crafted sketch had fans in stitches, as Lee Mack’s Lee and Megan Dodds’ Kate found themselves entangled in a case of mistaken identity with Kris Marshall’s Humphrey Goodman.
Fans Declare Crossover the “Highlight” of Comic Relief
Social media erupted with praise for the unexpected collaboration, with many calling it the best part of the charity event.
“The only funny bit? No Going Beyond Paradise! #ComicRelief,” one viewer posted.
Another fan added, “Loved the Not Going Out/Beyond Paradise crossover! Best sketch of the night! #ComicRelief.“
Others echoed similar sentiments, with one user tweeting, “Now that was more like it! Not Going Beyond Paradise has so far been the best part of the night.”
More Star-Studded Comedy Moments
The Beyond Paradise and Not Going Out crossover wasn’t the only highlight of the night. James Buckley and Joe Thomas (best known for The Inbetweeners) took on the roles of Liam and Noel Gallagher in a tongue-in-cheek sketch imagining an Oasis reunion. Meanwhile, People Just Do Nothing’s Chabuddy G teamed up with the cast of Gladiators for another comedic moment.
Other standout appearances included:
- Rachel Parris and Russell Kane collaborating with Strictly Come Dancing stars.
- Munya Chawawa and Brian Cox sharing the screen in a comedy skit.
- A special five-minute EastEnders scene focusing on Phil Mitchell’s mental health storyline.
Who Hosted Comic Relief 2025?
This year’s Comic Relief was led by a star-studded lineup of hosts, including Alison Hammond, Alesha Dixon, Davina McCall, Rylan Clark, Joel Dommett, and Jonathan Ross, with AJ Odudu and Tom Allen taking over later in the night.
Comic Relief aired on BBC One on Friday, March 21, and is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
