Idris Elba will star as Luther in a one-off sketch for Sport Relief which will reunite him with Ruth Wilson.

The acclaimed actor will don his character’s famous overcoat to uncover a serious case of hilarity with Ruth, who plays nemesis Alice Morgan in the BBC One crime drama.

As super sleuth Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, Idris will also be joined by Sir Lenny Henry, former England footballers Rio Ferdinand and Ian Wright, boxer David Haye, Olympians Denise Lewis and Louis Smith and actress Cecilia Noble.

The stars of the Luther sketch including Sir Lenny Henry, Idris Elba and Ian WrightThe stars of the Luther sketch including Sir Lenny Henry, Idris Elba and Ian Wright (BBC/Sport Relief)

 

The celebrity-laden segment will be shown as part of a star-studded weekend of Sport Relief on the BBC.

The fund-raising extravaganza will be hosted by John Bishop, Gary Lineker, David Walliams and Claudia Winkleman among others, on March 18.

The BBC will showcase highlights from this year’s challenges and present films about the work supported by Sport Relief.

Louis Smith will take part in Sport ReliefLouis Smith will take part in Sport Relief (BBC)

 

The BT Sport Relief challenge will also be back. This will see a brave celebrity test their body to the limit for charity.

The well-known face, to be announced soon, will follow in the footsteps of Davina McCall, John Bishop and David Walliams in the hope of inspiring the public to take on their own challenges.

Davina completed a gruelling 500-mile Sport Relief challenge run in 2014 and David swam the English Channel in 2006.

Davina McCall Davina McCall (Ian West/PA)

 

In 2012, comedian John participated in a Paris to London triathlon in which he cycled, rowed across the Channel and ran three marathons in three days.

The television line-up features the return of The Great Sport Relief Bake Off in which 16 celebrities will compete in the ultimate baking battle.

This year’s contestants include David Cameron’s wife Samantha, ex-MP Ed Balls and Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh, with comedians Jennifer Saunders, Sarah Millican, Ed Byrne and resident Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc each presenting an episode.

Gabby LoganGabby Logan (Mike Egerton/PA)

 

Let’s Play Darts for Sport Relief will also return to BBC Two, hosted by Gabby Logan.

It is set to feature figures from the world of darts alongside comedians including Greg Davies and sporting stars such as Mike Tindall and Robbie Savage.

Hard-hitting documentary Famous Rich & Homeless will see Nick Hancock, Julia Bradbury, Kim Woodburn and Willie Thorne experience first-hand what life is like living on the streets of London.

Claudia Winkleman for Sport Relief 2016Claudia Winkleman for Sport Relief 2016 (BBC)

 

The nation is being encouraged to walk, run, swim or cycle at the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games events from March 18 – 20.

On March 20, BBC One will host the Sport Relief Games Show live from London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Events are also taking place in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, Norwich and Sheffield, to name just a few of the cities.

Melanie C Melanie C (Ian West/PA)

 

Names already confirmed to take part in the fun include Spice Girls member Melanie C, BBC Radio 1′s Greg James, broadcaster Anita Rani, Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing and Countdown presenter Rachel Riley.

Money raised from Sport Relief will be spent on projects helping people in the UK and abroad.

For more information about Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games, go to sportrelief.com.