Children in Dyer Need

BBC1, 7pm CHILDREN In Need hits 40 with tonight’s extravaganza, which means Pudsey should probably go out dancing and drink too much prosecco.

But ever the professional, the bear is on hand, alongside Alex Scott MBE, Chris Ramsey, Mel Giedroyc and Stephen Mangan as our hosts.

A documentary last week that looked back over four decades of the annual telethon was a reminder of just how iconic the comedy sketches have been over the years.

And hopefully this year will be no exception.

We’ve been promised a special performance from the stars of Strictly and an exclusive treat from Doctor Who, and we get to know the nation’s favourite bear like never before in a star-studded sketch, Pudsey Bear : Behind The Bandana.

The Repair Shop team gives one very special girl a lovely surprise and Danny Dyer is joined by some familiar faces off Eastenders in a one-off episode of The Wall.

There will also be some brilliant comedy sketches from the cast of King Gar y and The Goes Wrong Show, and Joe Wicks completes his 24-hour PE challenge.

And to top it all off, there will be an abundance of singing and dancing from the best of the West End, with performances from Cinderella The

Musical, Kidz Bop and the cast of Six. Al so, singing live is the sensational Beverley Knight, and with a performance recorded especially for the occasion is the multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, Shawn Mendes.

And prepare to dig deep as the occasional tear-jerking appeal film reminds viewers what it’s all about.

WALL RIGHT, GUV Danny with fellow Eastenders stars Tony Clay and Roger Griffiths

SPOTTED Pudsey at 40