Even in the darkest of times there are charities that can really make a difference
Marion mcmullen looks at the presenters who will be on the spot for Children In Need
PEOPLE are being encouraged to wear something spotty, take part in an on-the-spot challenge, or just feel spotacular for BBC Children In Need.
From Blankety Blank to The Weakest link, the annual fundraiser on Friday, November 18, will be jam-packed with exclusive sketches, exciting performances, music, dance and a few big surprises
Comedian Jason Manford will also be joining hosts Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc, Chris Ramsey, Alex Scott to present the fundraising night for the first time.
He says: “It’s always been a charity that I’ve been involved with. I’ve fundraised for it in the past and obviously watched the night from when I was a child myself.
“It’s a charity that helps children from lots of different areas and backgrounds, but specifically for me, being from an underprivileged background myself, being able to help a charity that helps those children means a lot to me.”
Jason, 41, laughs: “Chris Ramsey rang me and said ‘it’s a long night, wear comfy shoes!’
“He also said the accumulator at the end of the night, when you find out the money you’ve made, is one of the most exciting things in all of television.
“I think it’s fantastic to see people doing things they don’t normally do. I remember back in the day when you’d have the BBC newsreaders doing Rocky Horror Show and when Eastenders and Coronation Street did a little mash-up called East Street. I remember that happening 20 years ago.
“A standout memory for me was when they did that wonderful song Perfect Day. I remember that being a real moment, but I just love seeing anybody do different things you know, and that’s what’s great about the show, that anything can happen. “So, it’s an entertaining night, it’s a heart-warming night, and it’s a lifeaffirming night because we all know that even in the darkest of times there are charities like BBC
Children in Need that can really make a difference.”
Comedian Chris, 36, says: “Being a presenter for BBC Children in Need’s Appeal show is one of the proudest achievements in my career and it is always an honour to be asked.”
He laughs: “I scream all of my swear word allocation for the day into a pillow in the hotel before the show, have a cuppa, maybe a banana, and make sure I
know where to stand.
“People need help more than ever and people need a laugh and to be entertained and brought together more than ever.
So if you can give anything on the night, please do but if you can’t, just enjoy the show we’ve got lined up for you.”
TV presenter Mel, 54, has her own pre-show routine: “Some loud music, some laughs and that unbelievable feeling of feeding off the crowd in the studio before we go live on air. “The core of the night is always those incredible appeal films. They are the absolute reason that we’re all there in the studio and viewers are watching at home.” Mel has fond memories of the fundraiser and says: “I’m not sure if I have fabricated this in my mind but did Angela Rippon appear one year bearing an enormous cheque dressed as a belly dancer?
“I also remember the legend that is John Craven doing a rap at the end of our BBC Children In Need single a few years ago. We got to number one.
“I met Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters and was able to hold my head up and say ‘Dave, I have had a number one single in the UK. Have you?’ I don’t think he had.”
Former professional footballer, Alex, 38, says she also has many great memories of the show.
“The amazing Sir Terry Wogan, the Pudsey challenges, all the BBC Children in Need mash-ups and The Repair Shop is one of my favourites – there’s so many to choose from.”
She adds: “I look forward to it every year and this year is going to be even more special as we’ll have a live audience with us. The whole evening is honestly just magical and it means so much to me to be presenting again.
“BBC Children in Need holds a special place in my heart, the stories from the incredible children and the generosity of the British public never ceases to amaze me. I feel very honoured to be presenting another incredible night of fundraising.”
Ade, 49, wheelchair basketball star-turned-tv presenter says he had massive butterflies the first year he presented alongside Graham Norton.
“I was really nervous, but also so proud to be involved,” he says.
“It’s important to be relaxed. The rehearsal is really useful the day before. I make sure I learn my script and get a good night’s sleep, then just make sure I enjoy it.”
Bradley Walsh will be presenting a Blankety Blank special for the night, Graham Norton’s infamous red chair will be making an appearance, and there will be performances by Lewis Capaldi and dance group Diversity.
The event is being broadcast live from Mediacityuk in Salford, and the appeal will be raising money for children and young people across the UK facing a range of challenges.
Children in Need, is on BBC1, Friday, November 18, at 7pm
People need help more than ever and people need a laugh
Presenter Chris Ramsey