Host Gary Lineker warned of "unprecedented times" as he kicked off Sport Relief 2020 with a solemn address amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The BBC defied the health crisis engulfing the country and held the biennial charity event in front of a live studio audience in Salford.
It said it would do "everything possible to keep people safe" in light of the coronavirus outbreak. The evening began with a subdued entrance from hosts Lineker, former women's footballer Alex Scott and actor Paddy McGuinness.
Match Of The Day presenter Lineker said the country is living through "extraordinarily and unprecedented times", adding "never have the vulnerable" been more at risk.
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