Comic Relief has been plunged into a presenter nightmare after both Joel Dommett and Zoe Ball had to withdraw from hosting due to Covid.
Masked Singer star Joel was the first of the pair to reveal he'd been struck down and forced to pull out of Friday's live charity appeal, taking to Instagram to say: "Super annoyed to report that I have the vid. This unfortunately means I have to pull out of hosting @comicrelief," as he drew over a photograph of him in the hosting line-up.
While gutted that he won't be joining the likes of Lenny Henry, Alesha Dixon, David Tennant, AJ Odudu and Paddy McGuiness in the Comic Relief studio to broadcast live to millions on BBC1, Joel was thrilled to reveal his replacement - Vernon Kay.
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Joel also assumed that he was missing out on the chance to present alongside Zoe Ball, but on Friday morning it was confirmed that she too now will be missing from the studio too after also contracting Covid.
Ball said on Twitter on Friday morning: "Pook ! fell at last hurdle and have had positive lat flows this am - noooooooo - gorgeous @AleshaOfficial is going to work the double shift tonight on @ComicRelief, i owe you lady love - good luck to A, Lenny, David, Paddy, AJ, Vernon, & the @comicrelief gang."
In a second tweet the former Radio 1 host, said: "There are so many brilliant treats in store tonight. I'll be watching & supporting from bed (probably in full make up, outfit, heels and all) might invite @joeldommett over."
This year's Comic Relief live show will get going on BBC1 at 7pm and the show has already claimed another Covid casualty.
Kylie Minogue was due to appear in a sketch with the cast of BBC comedy Ghosts but said on Thursday night that she would be watching from home after catching the virus.
For more information and to donate visit bbc.co.uk/rednoseday.
