THE BBC’S bid to revamp Red Nose Day has spectacularly backfired and hit the Comic Relief charity in the pocket.

Viewers switched off in their droves during Friday night’s show, seemingly unimpressed with the frolics offered up by this year’s contingent, which favoured rising star comedians including ROB BECKETT, JOE LYCETT, LUISA OMIELAN and ROMESH RANGANATHAN over established hosts like CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN.

16 Comic Relief 2017 raised £71million on the night

16 Comic Relief 2015 raised £78million on the night

And according to TV insiders, the loss of viewers could cost the charity millions of pounds in sponsorship.

A source said: “Replacing household presenters with comedians is now viewed as an unmitigated disaster.

“Bosses were trying to be too clever and bring the night back to its roots by getting comedians to front it.

16 Joe Lycett, Joel Dommett and Rob Beckett during the opening sequence of Red Nose Day 2017 Credit: Comic Relief Ltd

16 Joe Lycett busts a move with Sara Cox during her danceathon Credit: Comic Relief Ltd

“But back in the day, the comedy hosts were huge household names such as BEN ELTON and JACK DEE, who could sustain an audience.

“Many of the viewers would not have been familiar with the new team.”

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The last Comic Relief in 2015 was hosted by trusted mainstream presenters including Claudia, TESS DALY, DAVINA MCCALL and ROCHELLE HUMES. They made £78million on the night, compared to the £71million taken on Friday.

Many people in the industry believe the charity lost out on the extra cash because viewers were switching off, not picking up their phones to donate.

An average audience of 6.3 million people watched the first half of Friday’s telethon — down almost two million from 2015.

16 Comedien Luisa Omielan was not recognised by viewers

16 Luisa Omielan seen here with household names Jonathan Ross and Lenny Henry

16 Viewers took to Twitter to ask the identity of the mystery presenter

The alarming loss of revenue for the charity will surely spark another overhaul, with the TFI Friday-style format overseen by CHRIS EVANS’ former comedy production supremo Lisa Clark clearly failing to capture the public’s imagination.

There were some bright aspects — particularly JAMES CORDEN’s Carpool Karaoke with TAKE THAT, and ED SHEERAN’s emotional trip to Liberia — but pretty much everything recorded in the studio at London’s O2 Arena wasn’t up to standard.

It’s time for another Red Nose rethink.

16 Claudia Winkleman was part of the all-star team in 2015

16 Claudia and Davina headed the 2015 drive which brought in £7 million more than this year

READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE TV COLUMN

Alex's quiz is a big ask

HE already fronts one of the most popular game shows on the box.

And now Pointless host ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG is hoping his magic will transfer from the Beeb to ITV with his new prime-time programme, Don’t Ask Me Ask Britain.

16 Pointless host Armstrong is moving to ITV for new show Don’t Ask Me Ask Britain Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

In the show, a celebrity panel will be given a set of questions and multiple choice answers – they have to try to find which one was picked by the most Brits.

Alexander, pictured, says: “It’s going to be a unique broadcasting experience.

“We’re harnessing the voting public like never before to get instant referendums on the questions that really count: what is the sexiest regional accent, and what to do when you block the toilet at a dinner party – the big stuff.”

Viewers wanting to vote over the course of the six-episode series will need to download a free app on their smartphone.

It will be weird not having his sidekick RICHARD OSMAN reading out the stats.

PHIL COLLINS is making a screen comeback by paying his respects to a dead rock star.

The chart legend has a cameo in the spoof documentary Brian Pern: A Tribute.

16 Phil Collins plugs his book in spoof cameo

Ageing musician Brian, who is played by Fast Show star SIMON DAY, has died in a tragic Segway accident.

In the final BBC4 show, which is on tomorrow at 10pm, Phil pays tribute to his old pal – while also plugging his new book.

Other celebrities including NIGEL HAVERS, CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON, SURANNE JONES and PAUL WHITE-HOUSE also take part in the episode.

16 Tom Hiddleston is also in on the gag Credit: Splash News

The show also features The Night Manager star TOM HIDDLESTON who tweets about the time he and Brian attended a United Nations event for orphaned tortoises in the Sudan.

Among the tributes from friends, lovers, fans and his dentist, is the last-ever prophetic interview from Brian about his latest album, Heaven Calling.

16 Hiddleston tweets about prank UN event

In the hilarious episode, Brian’s friends and family discuss how his band Thotch are planning a tribute concert at the Royal Albert Hall to raise money for Segway Awareness. He will be missed.

MICHELLE’S world comes crashing down in EASTENDERS.

She loses control with family and friends after they find out about her underage relationship.

16 Ian tries to calm Martin down

Denise tells Kush she only wants to be friends but he makes his true feelings clear and urges her to make a final decision about their future.

Meanwhile, Debbie attempts to play peacemaker in EMMERDALE.

16 Ian shouts at Preston during the dramatic scene

When she notices that Faith is still upset over her distant relationship with Chas, she tries to fix things by setting them up together.

But will Debbie’s efforts be a success or doomed to failure?