Best Sport Relief moments you may have forgotten

Tonight marks the ninth Sport Relief charity event which will be broadcast on BBC One at 7pm. The biennial event is run in association with BBC Sport and aims to… read more
Best Sport Relief moments you may have forgotten
Tonight marks the ninth Sport Relief charity event which will be broadcast on BBC One at 7pm. The biennial event is run in association with BBC Sport and aims to raise money for the disadvantaged in both the UK and other parts of the world.
The event combines the entertainment world with sport, seeing many athletes take part in sketches, and comedians and actors taking on tough sporting challenges. This year there have already been a number of events taking place leading up to the big night. Jo Brand’s “Hell of a Walk” has seen her walk coast-to-coast, the “Gregathlon” saw DJ Greg James complete five triathlons in five days in five cities, and Eddie Izzard has taken on the mammoth task of running 27 marathons in 27 days.
Tonight promises to be as entertaining as ever with the return of Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em as well as a musical performance from James Bay who is providing this year’s charity single.
The big celeb-filled comedy sketches are often best-remembered but in the last 15 years some of the best and weirdest moments have been forgotten. No need to panic though, we’ve got them here.
Back in 2002, the first ever Sport Relief was broadcast. Stephen Fry hosted the special “They Think it’s a Question of Sport”, Bob Mortimer beat Les Dennis in “Celebrity Boxing” and beloved show Superstars was revived. What you may have blocked from your memory, however, is this tennis doubles match between Ilie Năstase and Alistair McGowan, and Pat Cash and Tony Blair. Yes, Prime Minister at the time, Tony Blair.
The BBC’s Walk on the Wild Side got involved in 2010. The show features voiceovers to footage of animals, in this case with an appropriate sporting theme.
Let’s Dance for Sport Relief started in 2010 and the series’ first winner was comedian Rufus Hound with his incredible rendition of “Fight for this Love” by Cheryl Cole.
Strictly Come Dancing manages to get involved every year with special performances, guest stars and… an underwater performance? Clearly feeling the Olympic fever, Sport Relief got Olympic swimmer Mark Foster on the judging panel and invited some Strictly contestants back to see how they’d fare underwater!
Speaking of water, in a heartwarmingly surprising challenge, Frank Skinner took on his biggest fear – water. Having always suffered with a phobia of water, Skinner was challenged with swimming 25 metres live on television. Showing that it’s not all about jaw-dropping physical tests, Skinner inspired the nation by overcoming his greatest fear.
Back in 1988 Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan made the world fall in love with their love when they released the single “Especially for You” – never mind that it wasn’t real. This rendition gave us a whole new power couple to love.
In 2014’s Sport Relief two truly random groups of celebrities took part in “Clash of the Titans” – an Olympic inspired event which enabled us to see Nick Grimshaw elegantly brandishing a ribbon and Olly Murs cartwheeling.
Most memorable perhaps are the reoccurrences of James Corden’s always hilarious and always relatable character of “Smithy”. If this sketch is anything to go by, this year is guaranteed to provide us with a whole host of unforgettable moments.
Sport Relief will air on BBC One tonight at 7pm. You can donate here.