Comic Relief returned to TV screens on Friday night as the BBC show celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Comic Relief made its anticipated return to our screens on Friday, March 21, marking a staggering 40 years of laughter and fundraising.

The 2021 celebration was helmed by a star-studded presenter line-up featuring Rylan Clark, Alison Hammond, Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Jonathan Ross and Alesha Dixon, with AJ Odudu and Tom Allen taking over hosting duties later in the evening on the BBC special.

Launching the anniversary event, Limahl got things underway with a musical number before being joined by Andrew Roachford and Carol Decker for a series of blasts from the past.

However, it seems nostalgia wasn’t enough to win over the crowd at home. A host of BBC viewers beat a path to social media, dissatisfied with how things kicked off and making clear their rush to hit the ‘off’ button on their remote controls.

Carol Decker, Andrew Roachford and Limahl performed on Comic Relief (Image

One discontented viewer aired their grievances on Twitter, bluntly stating: “Turned off already #ComicRelief.” As another chimed in with a none-too-pleased: “Jesus Christ, what a terrible start #ComicRelief #RedNoseDay.” (sic)

The night’s delve into ’80s music proved a time warp too far for some. One viewer did not mince words, writing: “Oh no, we should have left Limahl in the 1980’s #ComicRelief #RedNoseDay.” While someone else quipped: “It’s like a Royal Variety Performance from the 1980s here! #ComicRelief #RedNoseDay.” (sic)

Others forwent the opportunity to stick it out any further with the charity show, instead opting for an evening with the beautiful game, reports Wales Online.

A tweet captured one viewer’s swift decision: “Already switched over, football it is! #Comicrelief I lasted 10 seconds!” (sic)

Another succinctly put it: “Right that’s enough I’m putting the football on. #comicrelief #RedNoseDay.” (sic)

Carol Decker on Comic Relief (Image: BBC)

This year’s Comic Relief is set to be a star-studded affair, featuring an Oasis-themed sketch from The Inbetweeners favourites James Buckley and Joe Thomas, as well as a special episode of Death in Paradise, titled Not Going Beyond Paradise.

Strictly Come Dancing The New Pro Dancers will also make an appearance, alongside a Gladiators special starring Chabuddy G. BBC soap EastEnders has also joined forces with Comic Relief for a five-minute episode focusing on Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) mental health storyline.

In addition, celebrities have been taking on some big challenges to raise cash, with BBC Radio 1’s Jamie Laing completing an ultra marathon, while Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton have been participating in a 24-hour roller disco.