Comic Relief is set to return for another Red Nose Day this Friday. The charity, which has been operational since 1985, has faced a number of controversies over the years, including numerous Ofcom complaints and allegations of a "white saviour" complex when Stacey Dooley journeyed to Uganda for an appeal film.

Sir Lenny Henry, who was instrumental in launching the charity in 1985, will not be reprising his role as the host of the evening's entertainment. The iconic comic announced last year that he would no longer be hosting the show, and this year the presenters will be Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Alison Hammond, Rylan Clark and Alesha Dixon whilst the programme airs on BBC One from 7pm. Tom Allen and AJ Odudu will assume hosting responsibilities on BBC Two at 10pm. Before the live show, we reflect on the charity's most significant controversies...

'White saviours' controversy

Comic Relief has previously been accused of endorsing a "white saviour" stereotype, but in 2019 presenter Stacey Dooley sparked debate when she travelled to Uganda for an appeal film about the charity's work in the country.

Stacey - who posted a photo of herself cradling a young child during the trip - drew criticism from politician David Lammy. The MP tweeted: "The world does not need any more white saviours. As I've said before, this just perpetuates tired and unhelpful stereotypes. Let's instead promote voices from across the continent of Africa and have serious debate."

David stated it wasn't personal towards Stacey and that he wasn't questioning her "good motives". He instead remarked: "My problem with British celebrities being flown out by Comic Relief to make these films is that it sends a distorted image of Africa which perpetuates an old idea from the colonial era."

He continued: "Comic Relief should be helping to establish an image of African people as equals to be respected rather than helpless victims to be pitied. It would therefore be better for people who actually live there to speak about the continent they know."

In response, Stacey replied: "David, is the issue with me being white? (Genuine question) ...because if that's the case, you could always go over there and try raise awareness? Comic Relief has raised over 1 billion pounds since it started. I saw projects that were saving lives with the money. Kids lives."

Comic Relief issued a statement at the time expressing it was "really grateful" to Stacey for agreeing to travel to Uganda "to discover more about projects the British people have generously funded there and make no apologies for this". It added that she helped "put a much-needed spotlight" on issues affecting people and that those supported by Comic Relief projects "tell their own stories in their own words" in her film.

Russell Brand

Controversy-ridden comedian Russell Brand presented BBC's Comic Relief - despite a complaint having been lodged against him. He featured on the flagship programme merely months after a former colleague resubmitted a complaint in 2016, having initially filed it in 2007. They alleged that Brand, 49, had urinated into a cup in front of his colleagues during his BBC Radio 2 programme.

He has vehemently denied all allegations. Following the complaint, the corporation confirmed that Brand had indeed urinated into a cup in the radio studio, as well as a bottle. It was reported that Brand also behaved aggressively, hurling objects at a screen after a member of the production team made an error. Brand was subsequently given the Comic Relief presenting role - despite the allegations against him. The decision to award the role to Brand was made when Charlotte Moore, then chief content officer, was overseeing BBC One. Tim Davie, the director general, was heading BBC Studios - the division which produced the programme. It remains unclear whether either were informed of the complaint in 2016.

Meanwhile, the BBC had issued an apology to their workforce following its review. A review discovered that numerous individuals felt unable to raise concerns about his conduct and believed he would 'always get his way and therefore stayed silent.'

BBC's Big Night In fundraiser

BBC's Big Night In attracted 181 Ofcom complaints following the coronavirus relief special in April 2020. According to the BBC's fortnightly complaints report, the principal concern with the family programme was 'offensive content or humour'.

The three-hour Big Night In special, which was broadcast on April 23, featured a star-studded lineup of celebrities and UK royalty. The comedy programme also raised £67 million for coronavirus relief initiatives.

The programme united both Children In Need and Comic Relief and also included sketches from comedians such as Catherine Tate and Dawn French. Performers such as Dua Lipa, Rita Ora and Chris Martin also took to the stage.

Despite the overwhelmingly favourable reaction, some viewers were 'offended' by the material and submitted Ofcom complaints. However, the report did not detail what the complaints concerned. Nevertheless, the BBC programme attracted criticism from certain viewers regarding the appearance of Little Britain's comedy partnership, David Walliams and Matt Lucas. Numerous individuals labelled the show 'racist, xenophobic and ableist' whilst condemning a possible comeback.

Comic Relief bombshell investments

In 2013, a Sunday People investigation uncovered that Comic Relief was placing millfound that Comic Relief deposited £ 14 million into a company. An inquiry by the Sunday People and investigative organisation OpenWorld News discovered that Comic Relief deposited £14million into a company which invested in firms facing allegations of unethical conduct.

The Invesco Perpetual High Income Fund, which wasn't identified in Comic Relief's most recent publicly accessible accounts at the time, was described as the UK's leading performer. A source stated: "Everybody has a soft spot for Comic Relief and loves to support it. It's done so much for so many good causes and should rightly be praised.

"But a considerable amount of money in the charity goes to places some people would be unsure about." Amongst those invested in by Invesco were three of the globe's largest cigarette manufacturers - British American Tobacco, Reynolds American and Imperial Tobacco, producers of the Lambert and Butler brand.