Rowan Atkinson is to portray Mr Bean for the first time in almost three years with a sketch for Comic Relief.

The funnyman will revive his bumbling slapstick role after last being seen by millions of people around the world when he took part in the London 2012 opening ceremony.

His return comes alongside a comeback for Dawn French as The Vicar Of Dibley, which will also be screened during this year's Red Nose Day broadcast on BBC1 on Friday, March 13.

French reprises her role as Geraldine Granger, who will be seen campaigning to become a Bishop, Comic Relief said as the charity outlined its plans for this year's fundraising celebration.

On TV there will also be a screening of some of the hightlights of the Phoenix Nights live shows which are being staged.

There will be another Great Comic Relief Bake Off in which 16 celebrity bakers will be put through their paces by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood with Jonathan Ross, Abbey Clancy and Gok Wan among those taking part. Further names will be announced next month.

And X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary will be taking part in an exausting 24-hour non-stop dance marathon.

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