AJ Odudu wowed in a leggy dress as she joined glamorous Alison Hammond ahead of Comic Relief’s 40th anniversary in Manchester on Friday. 

The presenter, 37, looked incredible in the red satin number that featured a corset bodice and a thigh-high slit. 

She teamed it with a pair of strappy heels while posing for pH๏τos ahead of the programme.  

This Morning star Alison, 50, looked classy in a black velvet black blazer teamed with wide-leg trousers and a semi-sheer top.

The GBBO host beamed happily from ear to ear as she stopped for a few sH๏τs, adding dazzling rings and matching pin.

Ahead of their performance, Sugababes, formed by Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhán Donaghy, all looked jaw-dropping in their glam attires. 

AJ Odudu wowed in a leggy dress ahead of Comic Relief’s 40th anniversary in Manchester on Friday

She was joined by glamorous Alison Hammond while posing for pH๏τos ahead of the programme

Mutya, 39, flashed a glimpse of her flat stomach and endless array of tattoos as she sported a tiny plunging black top.

The Kingsbury-born beauty added a brown jacket and skimpy brown fur mini skirt, posing with the iconic red nose in her hand.

Meanwhile Keisha, 40, displayed her honed curves in a strapless black leather top teamed with stylish matching trousers.

Siobhan, also 40, cut an edgy look with a leather black T-shirt with an AC/DC T-shirt and studded skirt.

Love Is Blind presenter Emma Willis donned a red varsity jacket as she posed alongside British comedian Asim Chaudhry.

The Masked Singer favourite Joel Dommett looked smart in a black suit with red-trim details. 

Elsewhere TV legend Jonathan Ross looked radiant in a lime jacket, completed with a black turtleneck and trousers. 

Comic Relief fans were left fuming after the annual telethon chose to show a 16-year-old James Corden Sketch during it’s live show on Friday evening. 

The presenter, 37, looked incredible in the red satin number that featured a corset bodice and a thigh-high slit

This Morning star Alison, 50, looked classy in a black velvet black blazer teamed with wide-leg trousers and a semi-sheer top

The GBBO host beamed happily from ear to ear as she stopped for a few sH๏τs, adding dazzling rings and matching pin 

Ahead of their performance, Sugababes, formed by Mutya Buena , Keisha Buchanan , and Siobhán Donaghy, all looked jaw-dropping in their glam attires 

Mutya (centre), 39, flashed a glimpse of her flat stomach and endless array of tattoos as she sported a tiny plunging black top

Meanwhile Keisha (R), 40, displayed her honed curves in a strapless black leather top teamed with stylish matching trousers

The actor, 46, played his Gavin and Stacey character Smithy in the comedy scene as he gave the England team, including David Beckham, a pep talk and originally aired in 2009.

Viewers were left unimpressed by BBC’s decision to show the old clip when Red Nose Day is famed for it’s brand new comedy every year.

Taking to X they wrote: ’25mins into Comic Relief and they are already showing 15-year-old sketches’: ‘Good God, they’ve unearthed a 16-year-old sketch with Corden in a fruitless effort that a generation has pᴀssed and the current one may find amusing’. 

‘I remember when  Comic Relief used to be a huge night on telly when I was a kid. Watched for 10 minutes tonight and all it’s been is rehashed footage from previous years’:  ‘Why are they just replaying old sketches when there is so much comedy talent in this country? somebody please explain?’.

Opening the show a whole host 80s icons helped kick off the 40th anniversary show, Limahl, lead singer of Kajagoogoo, T’Pau’s Carol Decker and Andrew Roachford all took to the stage with their hits from yesteryear. 

Elsewhere in the show viewers were left sobbing after the show paid a tribute to late stars who supported the charity over the past 40-years.

Elsewhere TV legend Jonathan Ross looked radiant in a lime jacket, completing with a black turtleneck and trousers

Love Is Blind presenter Emma Willis, 49, donned a red varsity jacket as she posed alongside British comedian Asim Chaudhry

The comedy icon, 37, opted for a navy sweatshirt as he beamed cheerfully 

The Masked Singer favourite Joel Dommett looked smart in a black suit with red-trim details

In the emotional memoriam segment they honoured a whole host of stars including Liam Payne, The Vivienne and Caroline Flack alongside clips of their iconic Comic Relief appearances over the years. 

Read More Comic Relief fans left fuming after annual telethon airs 16-year-old James Corden sketch

Liam, who tragically died in October 2024 aged 31, took pride of place at the end of the montage as he performed with his fellow One Direction bandmates. 

Host Davina McCall, 57,,  introduced the segment and said the late stars helped make Comic Relief ‘have been the best days of our lives’ as the montage began with Queen’s Those Who The Days playing.

Other famous faces honoured included Girls Aloud’s Sarah Harding and The Wanted’s Tom Parker who had both performed during the live telethon.

As well as Hairy Bikers’ Dave Myers, Cilla Black, Bob Hoskins and Sir Michel Parkinson and Sir Ronnie Corbett who both appeared in Peter Kay’s (Is This The Way To) Amarillo video for the charity in 2005.