A guide to BBC One's Big Night In: from Little Britain to the Vicar of Dibley

Itching for the kind of “event TV” so beloved of those ITV executives in Quiz? Well the BBC has got you covered. Prompted by the coronavirus crisis, Comic Relief and Children in Need are teaming up with BBC One for a night of all-star comedy and entertainment. Here's everything you need to know.

When is it?

The Big Night In will air on BBC One on Thursday April 23 at 7pm from 10pm. It will then be available on BBC IPlayer.

What's it all about?

Not unlike a standard Comic Relief event, famous faces will put on a show in order to raise money – through viewer donations – for charity. Due to the current pandemic, the money (which will be split equally between Comic Relief and Children in Need) will go towards “making sure people are safe from harm, mentally healthy and with access to food, warmth and shelter; as well as helping people stay connected, active and positive.”

The evening will include live music performances, comedy sets, chances to win big cash prizes, and a few other surprises.

Which famous faces should you look out for?

Blue Peter's Matt Baker, Radio Two Breakfast Show presenter Zoe Ball, comedian Lenny Henry, Big Brother's Davina McCall and comedian Paddy McGuinness will host the show, with Ade Adepitan and Greg James.

David Walliams and Matt Lucas will bring Little Britain back to TV for the first time in over 10 years, performing a brand new sketch. Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon will be easing back into their bickering double act in The Trip.

Dawn French will be make a one-off come back as Geraldine, the Vicar of Dibley, Miranda Hart and the cast of Miranda will perform a skit about self-isolation, and both Sam Smith and Gary Barlow will give performances. 2020 Brit Award winner Celeste will also sing live, and Dave Grohl will premier a new BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge version of Times Like These.

Comedian Peter Kay will make his television comeback, performing for the first time since 2017. He will also deliver a new version of his (Is This The Way To) Amarillo music video, 15 years after the original hit. The new video features essential workers who have filmed themselves marching and dancing along.

Comedian Catherine Tate will reprise her schoolgirl Lauren character, who is struggling with remote lessons from her teacher, played by David Tennant. Comedian Jack Whitehall will also bring back Bad Education with Matthew Horne and heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

The cast of Strictly Come Dancing will also make an appearance. Other special guests include Mary Berry, Joe Wicks, Romesh Ranganathan, Little Mix and Ian Beale.

Does it follow social distancing rules?

Yes! The co-hosts will be doing their duties remotely and all the acts have been recorded in the artists' own homes.

How can you get involved?

Strictly has a starring role in the night's proceedings and last week, the competition's co-hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly launched the Keep Dancing Challenge.

They are inviting viewers to learn a dance routine to Dua Lipa's new track Physical, choreographed by the Strictly professionals, who are uploaded video instructions, section by section, every evening on the Strictly social media accounts.

The idea is that by the time that the Big Night In airs, Strictly fans will have mastered the steps and be able to perform the routine all together (ish) during the show.

You can also upload videos of yourself performing the dance with the hashtag KeepDancingChallenge, for a chance to be featured on the show.