It’s a celebration of the best of people

Pudsey is back for another night of fun and fundraising. MARION McMULLEN finds out why Sir Terry Wogan would approve

THE stars are coming out to play for BBC’s Children in Need campaign and they are urging people across the UK to channel their passions, hobbies or dreams to ‘Do Your Thing’ and raise money for the charity.

The One Show and Countryfile presenter Matt Baker says of the campaign: “Every year I see people up and down the country doing remarkable things to raise money for BBC Children in Need, and I can’t wait to see what the UK public do again this year.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly is also urging everyone to show their support and says: “It’s a cause that I am so passionate about and it really does make a difference to disadvantaged children and young people all over the UK.”

To date the British public has raised more than £909 million for children and young people and this year there are celebrity TV specials of The Weakest Link and Strictly Blue Peter. The latter will see six wellloved presenters of the children’s show from the past 60 years swapping sticky back plastic for the glitz and glamour of the ballroom.

Mark Curry, Diane-Louise Jordan, Anthea Turner, Tim Vincent, Konnie Huq and Radzi Chinyanganya, will join forces with the Strictly professional dancers in a bid to get their hands on the Pudsey Glitter Ball trophy.

Anthea Turner says: “I’m so excited to be back with my Blue Peter family for BBC Children in Need. What a night we are all going to have dancing and raising money.”

Konnie Huq adds: “I’ve got two left feet but hopefully we’ll put them right, well one of them anyway! Looking forward to it.”

Current Strictly champion Ore Oduba will be both singing and dancing on the night and there will also be a preview of the Call The Midwife Christmas special.

Presenter Graham Norton says Sir Terry Wogan’s death has made people appreciate his Children In Need legacy. The veteran Irish broadcaster hosted the annual BBC charity event for 35 years until 2015 when poor health forced him to pull out and he passed away in 2016 after a battle with cancer.

Graham says Sir Terry’s passing has renewed people’s support for the appeal.

“It was a huge success,” he says of last year’s telethon. “I think a lot of that, funnily enough, was to do with Terry’s death. It made people appreciate BBC Children In Need again. It is there every year and when Terry passed away, it made people realise what a special charity it is and the amazing legacy he left behind. He really owned it and we are just taking care of it now.”

Fellow presenter Tess says she will have Sir Terry in mind during this year’s programme. “It has been running for so many years and I always think of Terry on the night – the great Sir Terry Wogan who I love to bits. It was such an honour working alongside him because he was the master of showbusiness.”

Katie Melua has recorded Fields Of Gold, one of Sir Terry Wogan’s favourite songs, as BBC Children in Need’s official single.

The 33-year-old singer-songwriter says “He was a long-standing supporter of mine, and to re-record one of his favourite songs for a charity that was so dear to his heart is a privilege. I hope it goes on to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.”

Katie will give her first television performance of the song on Children In Need night.

This year’s presenters also include Mel Giedroyc, Ade Adepitan and Rochelle and Marvin Humes and they will guide viewers through a night of entertainment and fundraising.

Former Great British Bake Off presenter Mel is hosting the show for the first time and says: “Tess. Ade. Graham. Rochelle. Marvin. The Power Rangers of the presenting world. I feel honoured to be joining their ranks and bagsy wear the blue all-in-one body stocking slash helmet combo.”

The East End will meet the West End as the EastEnders cast sing their way round Albert Square, performing popular numbers from classic musicals.

Doctor Who fans will also get a sneak peek at the sci-fi show’s eagerly awaited Christmas episode.

Rita Ora will perform in the studio as will pop band The Vamps and US star Jason Derulo.

Helena Bonham Carter has also narrated a new film on childhood bereavement for Children In Need. The King’s Speech actress says: “It’s a privilege to be able to be involved with such a heart-rending film which shares such honest and important stories from children and young people as they cope with death of a parent or are facing this possibility.

“I hope this film strikes a chord with people across the UK and encourages them to donate to BBC Children In Need to enable the charity to continue to support children and young people who need it most.”

Graham Norton sums up the event saying: “BBC Children In Need helps so many children and young people up and down the country. Presenting the show is a lovely thing to be a part of. It’s a celebration of the best of people.”