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Do you reckon tonight’s CHILDREN IN NEED (7pm, BBC One) might find it tougher than usual to get the money rolling in, what with times being exceptionally tight?

My guess is it might, but not nearly as much as you’d expect. One of the great things about us Brits is we’re a generous, compassionate, kind-hearted nation (well, all right, there are few absolute gits among us, but I’m talking in broader terms) and will always do what we can to help others, even when it’s a struggle.

Last year, for example, wasn’t exactly a walk in the park for a lot of people (mind you, at least walks in the park were permitted again by then, without the fear we’d be wrestled to the floor by overzealous plod) and yet Children In Need still managed to raise £39 million on the night. By the time the proceeds from other activities had come in, that figure had risen to £51 million.

Money like that can buy some truly amazing things. Or, alternatively, two and a quarter Graham Potters.

So, what have this year’s hosts (Mel Giedroyc, Ade Adepitan, Alex Scott, Chris Ramsay and, for the first time, Jason Manford) lined up for us, to keep us entertained and persuade us to donate?

Well, would you like to see Philip Schofield given a punch on the nose? Me too. Sadly, that’s not one of the attractions currently lined up. For now, we’ll have to settle for special editions of The Repair Shop, Blankety Blank and The Weakest Link.

But I guess it’s not too late to put in a special request.