Warwick Davis
Actor and presenter Warwick Davis will be undertaking presenting duties on the night and will be featuring in a special skit with Catherine Tate.
Published: 14 March 2017
When I think of Comic Relief I always think of Steve Coogan’s contribution to the shows as Alan Partridge, he’s one of my favourite characters... the whole evening kind of culminated with him doing a finale of a Kate Bush medley which was fabulous
What is your favourite Comic Relief memory either from a past fundraising event that you’ve done or a memorable moment from watching the night of TV?
When I think of Comic Relief I always think of Steve Coogan’s contribution to the shows as Alan Partridge, he’s one of my favourite characters. I remember he hosted from BBC Radio Norwich doing a simulcast. To him it was like the latest technology that he was able to broadcast on TV and be on radio at the same time but the whole evening kind of culminated with him doing a finale of a Kate Bush medley which was fabulous and so that was one of my highlights.
There are so many though and you look at who’s given their time to Comic Relief over the years and the very best of British and international comic talent has given their time to do a sketches - it’s fantastic, the spirit of the whole thing is what makes Comic Relief so special and so unique, so that for me is a real highlight.
Talking of the main show you’re presenting, have you seen everything that’s happening and do you know what’s coming up?
We’ve had a briefing of the sketches and there’s some really great things in store and lovely sketches have been done. Again, as in the past, lots of people have given their time and talent to putting on sketches.
Is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to?
I’m going to be onset with Catherine Tate again, the wonderful Catherine Tate. I absolutely adore her she’s so brilliant so that will be quite nice, but that will be a live element which again will be interesting.
For me, I just think you get such spontaneity out of doing something live. If you know it’s recorded – and most of my work is in the recorded genre as in films and TV where you get a chance to do take two, it makes you a little bit complacent as a performer because you think "oh I’ll have a go" and then we get warmed up after a few takes. But when something’s live there’s an energy to it, a spontaneity and you never know what’s going to happen! I think the audiences respond to that and as performers we all respond to that and the whole show will have this fabulous energy. So for me it’s going to be a unique experience.
Is there any anticipation of any sort?
Well I think you have to turn any nerves you have into energy and excitement and put that across. I think as a performer I only ever get nervous if I’m unsure of what I’m doing so there might be an element of that. You never know what’s going to happen!
Do you have any pre-performance rituals or superstitions?
In theatres you do as it’s the way that you get ready, the time that you start getting ready for the show for me has to always be the same time and the order that I get dressed in is always the same. For me it’s always my left shoe on first then my right one but it is only when I’m performing. When I’m going out it doesn’t matter but if I’m going on stage or on TV it has to be that way. There is a ritual even if you don’t know it as a performer. Thinking now more and more yeah I’m very specific about how I do things especially in theatre.
