TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal got up to 'nose' good in a Sainsbury's store in Nine Elms when he pranked shoppers with an animatronic talking Red Nose, for the launch of this year's official Red Nose Day merchandise. Sainsbury's worked with a specialist animatronic company to create the larger-than-life Red Nose character, complete with hidden microphone, moving eyes and mouth. Placed out of sight, Rylan was able to use a remote control to make the Nose come to life, surprising shoppers and colleagues with jokes, banter and even some singing. Hidden cameras placed around the store captured people's reactions throughout the day as Rylan continued to cause mischief with the talking Red Nose.
Rylan took part in the tongue-in-cheek prank to launch the nine new character Red Noses, ultra-rare Silver Frankinose and Red Nose Day merchandise, available now in Sainsbury's stores and online (all Noses cost £1 with at least 60p going to Comic Relief).
Rylan commented: “I had the biggest laugh and I'm absolutely thrilled that Sainsbury's approached me to work on this stunt for Red Nose Day. I love working with members of the public and today didn't disappoint. Some of the reactions to the talking Red Nose have been fantastic and I found it hard to keep a straight face.
“It's so easy for people to raise funds for Comic Relief. You can host bake sales at work or fancy-dress fundraising in school, take on a sponsored challenge or pick up your own Red Nose and Red Nose Day merchandise in Sainsbury's and online now.”
Pete Ward, Sponsorship Manager at Sainsbury's said: “Having Rylan on board to launch our Red Nose Day campaign was great fun. Rylan's quick wit and good sense of humour has had our customers and colleagues in stitches.
“We are proud partners of Comic Relief and last Red Nose Day, Sainsbury's colleagues and customers raised over £12.4 million. We're hoping that our efforts this year will continue to make an even bigger difference to those in need, both in the UK and across Africa.”
Sainsbury's is the official retailer of the iconic Red Nose and Red Nose Day merchandise. A donation from each sale will go towards helping make a real difference to people living incredibly tough lives, both here in the UK and across Africa.