But does this make Lee Mack’s sitcom part of the Paraverse? 

There’s a fine tradition of bonkers stetches for Comic Relief, and this year appears to be no different. The BBC have confirmed that two of biggest shows are crossing over for Red Nose Day 2025 as Not Going Out will encounter Beyond Paradise.

At first thought, Lee Mack’s enduring sitcom and the Death in Paradise spin-off have little in common, but they share actor Sally Bretton. She plays Lee’s long-suffering wife Lucy in Not Going Out, and DI Humphrey Goodman’s fiancé in the crime drama.

The BBC say that Bretton “… takes on both roles in a hilarious mix-up of mistaken identities.” The sketch also stars Mack, Kris Marshall and Zahra Ahmadi, with the promise of other familiar faces from both shows. It features identity mix-ups, misunderstandings, and classic slapstick humour as the characters’ worlds unexpectedly collide.

Sally Bretton says:

“It was great fun to have the two worlds collide, play my own doppelganger and get swept up in the madness that comes with that! It was particularly special to be doing it all for such a brilliant cause as Comic Relief. The sketch was filmed at such high speed, we didn’t know if we were coming or going. I don’t know how Lee Mack holds all the moving parts in his head. We all had a great day filled with fun, confusion and belly laughs.”

Kris Marshall says:

“It’s always a delight to be able to combine the joys of comedy with the ability to help the many worthwhile charities that Comic Relief supports. And that as a part of the hilarious mistaken identities and sliding doors pastiche in a melange of two of the BBC’s most beloved shows, I can be a small cog in this year’s wonderful evening of fun, frolics and fundraising.”

The mashup airs as part of Red Nose Day 2025 on Friday 21st March. The fundraiser begins at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Please support Comic Relief by donating here. Money raised this Red Nose Day could help put food on plates and roofs over heads, keep little ones safe and help support families affected by conflict here in the UK and around the world.