Yahoo News New red nose: Why children under 7 can't wear Comic Relief's 'complex' 2023 design
Comic Relief’s famous Red Nose has undergone its “most dramatic makeover” in its 35-year history.
Comic Relief’s famous red nose has undergone its “most dramatic makeover” in its 35-year history after being redesigned by former Apple guru Sir Jony Ive.
The new nose is made almost entirely from plant-based materials and starts as a tiny, flat crescent that springs into a honeycomb paper sphere when opened.
Ive, who helped develop the iPod, iPhone and MacBook, described the new design for Red Nose Day 2023 as a “fabulously complex little object”.
But not everyone is happy with this year’s product, with a primary school worker saying she was disappointed under-7s will not be allowed to wear it.
RUN, don't walk because Red Nose Day is back with a new Nose – exclusively designed by Sir Jony Ive. 🔴
With one quick click, our magically transforming Red Nose makes a really big difference.
Order now: https://t.co/q8TFKK8QxT pic.twitter.com/tzU1NsEw5t— Comic Relief (@comicrelief) February 1, 2023
The Comic Relief shop page states the £2.50 nose is “not suitable for children under 7 years of age due to small parts” which makes it a potential choking hazard.
Primary school worker @scuba13 tweeted: “I love the new nose but I am a bit disappointed that other than this nose the only merchandise to be bought is tee shirts.
“I work in a primary school and kids from 3 to 11 love buying the noses as part of our fundraiser. Why has @comicrelief created a nose for limited ages?"
Read more: Red Nose Day: Kylie Minogue to star in Ghosts special as 2023 line-up teased
Comic Relief said the design of the new nose necessitated using small parts and it would be releasing more products for children soon.
It replied: “Thanks for getting in touch Eliza! To fit a variety of noses, we use a hinge which requires small parts.
“We hope to reduce the age restriction next year & will pass your feedback on.
“Look out for more child-friendly Red Nose Day merch being announced over the next few weeks!”
Comic Relief co-founders Richard Curtis and Sir Lenny Henry enlisted actress and comedian Diane Morgan to make a tongue-in-cheek short film launching the new nose.
Morgan compares the design to Earth before hailing the importance of “the perfect circle” and describing how the new model is “the most perfect nose in history”.
Designer Ive, who was chief design officer of Apple from 1997 until 2019, said: “This new and seemingly simple Red Nose has been a fabulously complex little object to design and make and has involved our entire team.
“We hope it brings a little moment of joy to everyone who wears one.”
Money raised from the appeal will support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems and food poverty.
