Comic Relief viewers were less than impressed when Catherine Tate resurrected her iconic sketch characters during Friday’s annual charity telethon. Despite her returning to the roles of Nan and Lauren Cooper—characters who originally shot her to fame—many fans took to social media to express their disappointment, calling the sketches “excruciatingly unfunny” in 2026.
Nan and Lauren Cooper: Is the Comedy Still Relevant?
The 56-year-old comedian made her debut as one of the Comic Relief hosts and kicked off the show with a performance as the foul-mouthed Nan, followed by a Lauren Cooper schoolgirl sketch. Nan performed a lively opening number to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”, accompanied by backing dancers dressed as pensioners, before co-hosts Davina McCall and Joel Dommett were wheeled in on armchairs. Later, she returned as Lauren, delivering her iconic “Am I Bovvered?” catchphrase.
While some fans appreciated the nostalgic appearance of Tate’s beloved characters, others were left cringing, calling the sketches outdated and out of touch. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Catherine Tate has surfaced as Nan again. Excruciatingly unfunny,” while another shared, “I remember when you were actually funny. This one starts with Catherine Tate as Nan, and it’s so bad.” Another commented, “Catherine Tate, so unfunny it’s painful.”
A Legacy of Sketches, but Mixed Reactions
Catherine’s return to these sketches, first made famous on The Catherine Tate Show (2004–2007), has been met with mixed reviews over the years, and Comic Relief was no different. Despite the public’s divided reactions, Catherine has a long history of appearing on Comic Relief, having revived her characters in 2007, 2009, and 2021, alongside stars like David Tennant and Alan Carr.
Some fans did praise the Nan and Lauren moments for their nostalgia factor, and Catherine Tate’s enduring popularity still shines through. However, many viewers felt that the humour no longer worked in 2026, with some fans even calling for her removal from the show.
Greg James Hits Major Milestone in Charity Challenge
While Catherine Tate’s sketches were divisive, Greg James‘s charity bike challenge garnered much more positive attention. The Radio 1 Breakfast DJ was thrilled to learn that he had raised £2.8 million for Comic Relief during his bike ride, just miles from the finish line in Edinburgh.
Greg’s infectious enthusiasm and commitment to the cause helped boost donations throughout the day, with fans rallying behind him as he completed his 1,000km challenge.
What’s Next for Catherine Tate?
Whether fans will see more of Catherine Tate’s classic characters in future Comic Relief broadcasts remains to be seen. For now, while some viewers may have been left unimpressed, it’s clear that Tate’s place in the comedy world remains firmly entrenched—albeit with evolving tastes.
Did you enjoy Catherine Tate’s return to Nan and Lauren, or was it time for a new chapter?
