Sir Lenny Henry has revealed he has decided to step down from presenting Red Nose Day after 39-years.

The comic, 65, has confirmed that next Friday’s show will be his last after admitting that he missed being on stage with his former Comic Relief co-hosts – including ex-wife Dawn French, Billy Connolly and the late Victoria Wood.

He co-founded the charity alongside Richard Curtis in 1985 and began fronting the iconic telethon, which at the time he thought would only last for three shows, let alone almost 40. 

Although, viewers can still take comfort in that while he will not be on screen during the big night Sir Lenny will continue working for the charity behind the scenes as it’s Life President. 

Speaking about his departure from the lime lite, Lenny said: ‘As Life President of Comic Relief, I’m excited to see some new and familiar faces come forward now to present the big night and lead us into the next chapter.’

Lenny admitted that the Comic Relief baton needs to be ‘handed on to a new group of people who are going to take on Comic Relief’ and alluded to a number of stars who could take over. 

Here MailOnline lists some of those runners and riders that are tipped to fill his shoes in the iconic presenting slot.

Sir Lenny Henry, 65, revealed he has decided to step down from presenting Red Nose Day

He co-founded the charity alongside Richard Curtis in 1985 when he began fronting the iconic telethon 

David Tennant 

Henry is thought to have given a slight nod that David Tennant will take over as his replacement after saying the former Doctor Who star was ‘brilliant’ when he hosted the show in 2019 and 2023. 

A funny clip from last year’s Red Nose Day also showed Henry regenerating into the Scottish actor, 52, before heading on stage to greet the audience. 

Tennant has been part of the presenting line up for the telethon since as early as 2009, during which he hosted a segment of the show with Davina McCall. 

The Broadchruch actor also took part in the event 2013 and again in 2019, after which he has remained a permanent feature. 

Tennant hosted the show last year along with veteran presenters  Zoe Ball and Paddy McGuinness as well as newcomers AJ Odudu and Joel Dommett.

Henry is thought to have given a slight nod that David Tennant (pictured) will take over as his replacement

The former Doctor Who star hosted the show in 2019 and 2023

Presenters Lenny Henry, David Tennant and Alesha Dixon during the Red Nose Day night of TV for Comic Relief on March 18, 2022 in Manchester 

Romesh Ranganathan

Romesh Raganathan made his Comic Relief debut well over half a decade ago and is therefore a close contender to take over Henry’s role. 

He first hosted on the telethon in 2017 during which he appeared in a slightly odd Indian dance sequence, which the comedian appeared to take offense to.

In 2019, he appeared alongside former Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon when they both boogied on stage to pick up the presenting duties alongside a star-studded cast. 

He is also set to appear in this year’s show on March 15, with other seasoned Red Nose Day presenters and Maya Jama and Rosie Ramsey who will make making their Red Nose Day debut. 

Romesh Raganathan (pictured) made his Comic Relief debut well over half a decade ago

Ranganathan (second from right) first hosted on the telethon in 2017

Alesha Dixon

Although she has been a mainstay of British Television for well over a decade, Alesha Dixon has only presented on Comic Relief on three occasions. 

The former Britain’s Got Talent judge made her Comic Relief debut in 2019 when she presented a segment of the show with comedian Romesh Ranganathan. 

The pair had a comedic presence on stage and at one point Dixon joked that she was worried about pronouncing Romesh’s name wrong to which he replied: ‘There is a real danger of looking racist.’

And in 2021, Dixon appeared on the show alongside David Tennant, Davina McCall, Paddy McGuinness and Sir Lenny Henry.

Alesha Dixon has only presented on Comic Relief on three occasions

The former Britain’s Got Talent judge (second from left) made her Comic Relief debut in 2019

Presenters Lenny Henry, Paddy Mcguinness, Alesha Dixon and David Tennant during the Red Nose Day night of TV for Comic Relief on March 18, 2022

AJ Odudu

AJ Odudu is a relative newcomer to the Red Nose Day line up, having only featured in the show since 2022. 

On her first show she appeared alongside Vernon Kay before she was later joined by George Ezra who performed a rendition of his song Anyone for You.

She was set to co-present the segment with Comedian Joel Dommett, but he was forced to pull out after testing positive for Covid-19. 

AJ has shot to fame in years after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, which she said was a dream come true, and has is set to host the upcoming series of Celebrity Big Brother after presenting the show’s revival last year. 

AJ Odudu is a relative newcomer to the Red Nose Day line up, having only featured in the show since 2022

AJ appeared on her first show in 2022 alongside Vernon Kay

AJ Odudu during the Red Nose Day night of TV for Comic Relief on March 17, 2023