It's been seven long years since Geraldine and the Dibley parish departed our screens following the vicar's Doctor Who-themed wedding to dashing accountant Harry. But tomorrow evening they will make their triumphant return for a ten minute special to raise money for Comic Relief. 

And that's not even the best bit. Damian Lewis – the man best known for playing Sgt Nicholas Brody in US espionage drama Homeland – will be appearing in the one-off episode, penned by series creator and Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis. In a dramatic role-reversal from his double-crossing American agent, Lewis will appear as a charming Reverend who leaves Geraldine off-guard during a trip to London with her fellow parishioners. 

With added comedy value in the form of Frank's deafness, Hugo's celebrity fixation and Owen's hygiene issues – not to mention the embarrassment she suffers at the hands of Frank's stutter – the Vicar is soon left wondering whether their excursion is such a good idea...

Speaking of her return to her much-loved role, Dawn French said, "Viewers should watch this sketch because it's the first time we've been together for ages, so everyone can witness the rapid deterioration of us all! Since we last saw the Vicar and her parish members, the astonishing and shocking amount of decay is alarming."

Her handsome new co-star, Damian Lewis, added: "Richard Curtis has done a brilliant thing in getting all the cast back together. It's very funny and anyone who loves the Vicar of Dibley is just going to have a riot with this."

The episode will be screened on Friday 15 March as part of Comic Relief - Funny for Money which will see various celebrities including Michael McIntyre, David Walliams and Jack Whitehall team up to help raise money from the viewing public. Don't miss all the action when it kicks-off at 7:00pm on BBC1.

See our complete guide to all tonight’s Red Nose Day TV