The stars ready to Bear all for Children in Need
IT’S ANOTHER FANTASTIC PRESENTING LINE-UP FOR THIS YEAR’S BBC CHILDREN IN NEED APPEAL SHOW; THE STARS GIVE GEORGIA HUMPHREYS THE LOWDOWN ON THE EXCITING NIGHT
IT’S THAT time of year again; Pudsey Bear is back on our screens.
As ever, the BBC’s Children In Need appeal night, which this year falls on Friday November 15, promises to be a jam-packed evening of entertainment, broadcast live from Elstree Studios, with the famous cuddly mascot in tow.
There’s something for everyone. Football fans can see England’s Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling join Mark Wright in surprising children from the England Amputee Football Association, one of the many organisations that have received funding from BBC Children in Need.
For those who love West End shows, don’t miss a special performance from Big the Musical.
Meanwhile, A-List stars from the documentary BBC Children in Need: Got It Covered – which aired last month and saw 10 big-name actors come together to record an album – will be in the studio on the night to talk about the project.
Not forgetting we can expect special editions of TV programmes, such as Mock the Week, Crackerjack and Dragons’ Den, plus live music from Louis Tomlinson, Westlife, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.
The aim? To raise as much money as possible in order to help disadvantaged children and young people across the UK – and hopefully beat last year’s total of £58m; BBC Children in Need is currently supporting more than 3,000 local charities and projects, and there will be plenty of emotional fundraising films throughout the night.
Let’s meet the brilliant group taking on presenting duties.
TESS DALY
THE Stockport-born Strictly Come Dancing host is one of the most recognisable faces of Children In Need.
It’s a job the 50-year-old has had since 2008; she used to present alongside the late Sir Terry Wogan (“What a pleasure and utter privilege that was,” she says).
Is there anything she does in particular to prepare for the evening?
“I sleep! Or rather I try! It’s the start of a busy weekend for me, and I literally walk off the studio floor and into the car to head up to Blackpool for our Strictly special!
“I also watch all the appeal films, as many of them are incredibly emotive and if I watched them for the first time live on the night I’d be in floods of tears and unable to speak.”
GRAHAM NORTON
THE Irish star, 56, acknowledges the night is “one of those rare occasions when the whole country is inspired to join together to support some truly inspirational causes”.
This year’s telethon includes a
Graham swaps seats as he hands over the reins of his show to the kids
take-over of The Graham Norton Show studio for a special edition of The Big Red chair, featuring three young carers as guests on Graham’s sofa.
There will also be four EastEnders stars vying to win the Pudsey Glitterball trophy, and Graham says: “I’ve always enjoyed the EastEnders musical numbers, so I can’t wait to see what moves they’ve got in store in the Strictly special this year.”
Does he think donations on the night this year can top last year’s on the night total –a record-breaking £50.6 million?
“It seems impossible, but we can but dream. After all, that’s what Children in Need is all about.”
MARVIN AND ROCHELLE HUMES
THE husband-and-wife team are back presenting live together, and
there’s a special of their Saturday night music quiz, The Hit List – featuring three celebrity teams – coming our way.
“There aren’t many things that unify this great country, but I do think BBC Children in Need is one of them,” suggests former JLS star Marvin, 34, who was born in London.
“I have no doubt that we can top last year’s total with the kindness and generosity we know are in all of the UK’s hearts.”
Barking-born Rochelle, 30 – who’s best known for being a member of S Club Juniors and The Saturdays – confides she does the same as Tess ahead of the big night.
“To be honest, I always try to watch a lot of the show before the evening so I can get the tears out! I don’t want to distract from the children and the main focus of the show.”
MEL GIEDROYC
THE comedian and actress, 51, can’t wait to be presenting on stage with Graham again.
“He is the best fun to work with. In fact, he doesn’t make it feel like
work at all. It’ll be lovely to see the whole gang, actually.”
The Epsom-born former Great British Bake Off host elaborates: “We’re all a bit like ships in the night, on the night, but we usually get to hang all together for a few minutes behind the scenery in the studio before it all kicks off, and have a slightly hysterical, whispered chinwag.”
ADE ADEPITAN
ASKED what his favourite part of presenting Children in Need is, Nigeria-born Ade, 46, responds: “The opening is incredible.
“When you go live and you see everybody, all of the audience, and you know everybody at home is watching, it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.”
The Paralympian basketball player uses a wheelchair as a result of contracting polio at 15 months old, which caused him to lose the use of his left leg.
And Children In Need helped a charity that he belonged to as a child.
“I always remember a Children In Need appeal night, one of their outside broadcasts came to an event I was at and it was fantastic.
“It was really nice to know that complete strangers care enough to do challenges to help support people who really need it in this country.”
TOM ALLEN
JOINING Marvin and Rochelle this year is Tom Allen, known for shows such as Bake Off: The Professionals, The Great British Bake Off: Extra Slice and The Apprentice: You’re Fired!
He says it is a “huge honour” to be part of the presenting line up for the first time.
“It is a great cause but what makes Children In Need special is it brings everyone together around the country,” says the Bromleyborn comedian.
“There’s a real connection between the people in the studio and the people watching at home – no matter where you are, it’s everyone coming together to do something positive for young people everywhere.”
What advice would he give to someone who might be interested in raising money?
“Have a look at the website, work out what would be fun for you to do and get planning. You won’t regret it.
“However much you raise, it’s a great reason to get together with friends and family to do something brilliant.”
■ BBC Children in Need is on BBC1 on Friday at 7.30pm.