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Comic Relief's Comic Opera names all-female cast including Scarlett Moffatt, Tamzin Outhwaite and Nina Wadia

Katie Archer
·Contributor
·3-min read
Embargoed to 0001 Friday March 11 Undated handout photo issued by Comic Relief of (top row left to right) Nina Wadia, Tamzin Outhwaite and Rosie Jones. (bottom row left to right) Sara Cox, Scarlett Moffatt and Helen George who are taking part in this year's Comic Opera for Red Nose Day. Issue date: Friday March 11, 2022.
Comic Relief has announced an all-female Comic Opera cast. (BBC/PA)

Comic Relief is bringing back its hit Comic Opera for another year and this time, an all-female cast of stars has been announced.

The charity challenge sees Scarlett Moffatt, Tamzin Outhwaite, Nina Wadia, Helen George and Rosie Jones learn one of opera's most famous arias in just 24 hours which they will perform at the London Coliseum live for Red Nose Day.

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Last year, the Comic Opera launched for the first time featuring five stars including Jennifer Saunders and Alex Brooker, and now 2022's all-female cast will race to master an aria from Carmen which they will perform in front of a theatre of 2,000 opera fans accompanied by the ENO orchestra and chorus.

Embargoed to 0001 Friday March 11 Undated handout photo issued by Comic Relief of Rosie Jones who is taking part in this year's Comic Opera for Red Nose Day. Issue date: Friday March 11, 2022.
Rosie Jones says she's more used to singing in the shower. (BBC/PA)

Actor Wadia, who took part in Strictly Come Dancing 2021, said: "Last year I learned to dance, and this year I am learning to sing operatic! Comic Relief is helping me tick something else off by bucket list, so how could I turn this opportunity down?!"

Comedian Jones added: "I am terrified; I find it hard enough to talk, never mind sing opera!!! I love singing though, and I always belt out 80s bangers in the shower, so surely it's just like that... with a few more clothes on!"

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The cameras will follow the five women on their operatic journey and in their Coliseum performance during Red Nose Day's main broadcast on Friday, 18 March on BBC One.

Embargoed to 0001 Friday March 11 Undated handout photo issued by Comic Relief of Nina Wadia who is taking part in this year's Comic Opera for Red Nose Day. Issue date: Friday March 11, 2022.
Nina Wadia is adding singing to her list of skills. (BBC/PA)

Sara Cox, who's there to support the cast and host the show, said: "I can’t wait to stand in the wings and watch our five brave souls sing their hearts out for Comic Relief, I just hope you can hear their voices over the sound of their knees knocking together!

"There’ll be nerves, excitement and no doubt the odd duff note but our opera novices are doing it for the best cause in the world - Comic Relief."

Call The Midwife star George said: "I’m so excited to be included in this year’s Comic Opera with such a brilliant bunch of women. I’m sure my warbling will mainly be more comic than opera, but looking forward to giving it a go."

Programme Name: Comic Relief 2022 - TX: 18/03/2022 - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: Comic Opera Tamzin Outhwaite - (C) Pal Hansen - Photographer: Pal Hansen
Tamzin Outhwaite will sing in the Comic Opera. (Pal Hansen/BBC)

Actor Tamzin Outhwaite added: "I am used to acting on stage, not singing, so I am really looking forward to trying something new - and who knows, maybe I can put Opera Singer on the CV!"

TV star Moffatt, who has recently been announced for new BBC learner driving show Scarlett's Driving School, said: "I am so scared but totally up for the challenge because I’ve long been a fan of Red Nose Day, and the work Comic Relief does is just so important, so I really hope this helps people to donate, donate, donate!"

Red Nose Day airs from 7pm on Friday, 18 March on BBC One.

Watch: Tom Daley discusses gruelling Comic Relief trek