David Budd has been assigned to protect the Red Nose for Comic Relief

Comic Relief is on its way for 2019 and this year’s Red Nose has been given the ultimate protection.

Bodyguard’s David Budd (played by Richard Madden) has been assigned to protect the Red Nose.

The BBC has confirmed Red Nose Day 2019 will air on BBC One on Friday 15 March.

Last month saw the first special programs confirmed for this year’s fundraiser.

BBC bosses have confirmed a repeat of their 2009 celebrity trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. A decade ago, stars including Girls Aloud’s Cheryl and Kimberley Walsh, radio DJ Fearne Cotton, Boyzone’s Ronan Keating ascended up Africa’s highest peak for charity.

They were joined by TV presenter Ben Shepard, Take That’s Gary Barlow, radio DJ Chris Moyles, actress and singer Denise Van Outen plus Britain’s Got talent judge Alesha Dixon.

Ten years on and a second trip is in the works for 2019’s Comic Relief special.

The celebrities confirmed to take part include Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Shirley Ballas, former MP Ed Balls, broadcaster Anita Rani and Love Island’s Dani Dyer.

Joining them are BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker, Pointless host Alexander Armstrong, NFL star Osi Umenyiora plus Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock

An hour-long special following their climb will air on Thursday 14th March on BBC One ahead of the main Comic Relief telethon.

Meanwhile, it’s rumoured that a Celebrity version of The Apprentice could make a return in support of Comic Relief this year.

The Lord Sugar fronted business show previously aired three Celebrity specials between 2007 and 2008.

Those rumoured for the line up include Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, singer turned TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal, Boris Johnson’s sister and recent Celebrity Big Brother housemate Rachel Johnson, comedian Omid Djalili, TV presenter Richard Arnold and stand up Russell Kane.

Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day 2019 will take place on Friday, 15 March.