The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)

Stars come out for charity

Showbiz: Former Blue Peter presenter wins Children In Need Strictly special

- BY FRANCESCA GOSLING

Former Blue Peter presenter Mark Curry has been named winner of the Children In Need Strictly Come Dancing special after impressing judges with his high kicks.

He beat Blue Peter hosts past and present – including Konnie Huq, Anthea Turner, Diane-Louise Jordan, Tim Vincent and Radzi Chinyangan­ya – with his and partner Amy Dowden’s jive on the BBC1 live charity appeal show last night.

The dynamic segment to Sir Elton John’s I’m Still Standing saw Chinyangan­ya dive into the splits and pro dancer Brendan Cole spin Turner in the air while standing on top of the judges’ table, just moments after making a slight stumble on the platform.

As the judges – borrowed from the main Strictly show – sang praises for all the competitor­s, Bruno Tonioli compliment­ed Curry’s kicks, which he said were “higher than Darcey Bussell’s”.

The Strictly theme ran through the appeal showdown, with presenter Mel Giedroyc aiming a lightheart­ed swipe at head judge Shirley Ballas, following the controvers­ial eliminatio­n of Aston Merrygold from the main programme.

As Merrygold appeared during a short appeal video, Giedroyc said it was “nice” to see him back on screen, adding: “Thanks, Shirley Ballas.”

The charity spectacula­r delighted audiences with a number of TV treats, including a first-look teaser of this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special.

Earlier in the show, the cast of EastEnders donned old-fashioned costumes for a medley of classic musical numbers in Albert Square, including tracks from Oliver!, Les Miserables and Mary Poppins.

In a Children In Need first, the cast of Countryfil­e also had a go, opting for hit country tunes from John Denver, Dolly Parton and Nancy Sinatra.

Meanwhile, Peter Kay delighted his fans by announcing two new episodes of comedy series Car Share.

Earlier in the year he insisted he had no plans to make a future run, following the second season finale that saw his character John and work friend Kayleigh (Sian Gibson) apparently part ways forever.

Kay said: “We were completely overwhelme­d by the response and even though we’ve no plans to write a third series we knew we couldn’t end the story there.”

Other BBC programmes also featured on the show to share the impressive sums they have raised.

The One Show concluded its traditiona­l 500-mile rickshaw ride with present- er Matt Baker at the helm, totting up a record-breaking total of £5,063,230.

Actress Joanna Lumley presented the Sir Terry Wogan Fundraiser Of The Year Award – in memory of the show’s late and muchloved presenter – and Katie Melua performed this year’s Children In Need charity single: her rendition of Fields Of Gold.

 ??  ?? BIG ENTRANCE: Craig Revel Horwood joins performers from his west end production of Annie to open the BBC Children In Need 2017 show
BIG ENTRANCE: Craig Revel Horwood joins performers from his west end production of Annie to open the BBC Children In Need 2017 show

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