Pudsey is an icon!
MARION McMULLEN discovers how 2020’s Children In Need hosts are preparing for its 40th anniversary bash
PICK OF THE WEEK CHILDREN IN NEED BBC1, Friday from 7pm
SIR TERRY WOGAN will be at the front of Mel Giedroyc’s mind when she goes in front of the cameras to present this year’s Children In Need. “I’ll toast Terry W before I go on stage,” she says referring to the late Irishman whose name was synonymous with the fundraiser.
“It’s a time I associate with family and, of course, my own children growing up,” says Mel of the charity telethon. “A time when I think the country comes together in a very brilliant and simple way. We are reminded that children are the most precious commodity we have in society and that they need nurturing and helping. It’s more important this year than ever before.”
She adds: “2020 will be remembered as a very challenging year, but this year more than ever, anything you can donate, literally anything, will be so unbelievably gratefully received. We need to pull together and show that we can help children – more children living on the poverty line, more children dealing with mental health issues, more children likely to fall through the cracks in society if we are not there to give them this vital support.”
The former Great British Bake Off presenter will be joining actor and presenter Stephen Mangan, comedian Chris Ramsey and footballer-turned-pundit Alex Scott to present the 40th anniversary of the BBC Children in Need Appeal and says: “I feel incredibly honoured to be presenting my fourth BBC Children in Need on this very special anniversary. I can’t believe it’s 40 years old – two years older than me!”
She reveals one of her favourite moments of the fundraising night was when she and her co-host Sue Perkins drew on The Force. “Sue and I dressing up as Princess Leia to take part in the amazing Star Wars droids sketch is pretty hard to beat,” says Mel. “I cried when I met R2D2.”
Chris Ramsey also has great childhood memories of the famous fundraiser: “I’ve watched it my entire life, so it’s incredible to be a presenter this year, but I also did some work for BBC Children in Need a few years ago and ended up becoming a patron of a charity for young carers in the North East.
“The memory that sticks with me is just my whole family sitting down to watch it when I was younger. It was always such a huge event in the TV calendar and the entire night is a rollercoaster of emotion. I’ve donated many times in the past, and with text donations and stuff – it’s so easy. Even if you just give a couple of quid, it all helps!
“It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to be asked to be a part of BBC Children in Need in any way shape or form, but to be asked to be on the presenting team on the night is another level.
“I really want that figure at the end of the night to be absolutely huge. It’s been such a hard year for so many children, and I’m looking forward to helping raise some serious money for the charity.”
The live fundraising show on Friday will feature everything from Strictly Come Dancing and East-Enders to Doctor Who. The money raised will help support local charities and projects which are providing essential frontline help to children and young people in communities throughout the UK.
There will also be musical performances from the casts of West End shows Cinderella The Musical and Six and singers Beverley Knight and Shawn Mendes will be appearing.
Other highlights include a special sketch performed by the cast of The Goes Wrong Show, a visit to The Repair Shop and the finale of The One Show’s rickshaw challenge.
Stephen Mangan describes the appeal as “part of the fabric and rhythm of our lives, a truly great British institution. The generosity, selflessness and kindness it inspires makes me proud to be British.”
He says: “The whole world is struggling with the repercussions of this current situation and we know that in difficult times it’s the vulnerable that suffer the most. That makes the work of a charity and an event like BBC Children In Need more urgent and more vital than ever.”
Alex Scott says: “I don’t think a little eight-year-old Alex watching at home all those years ago would have ever dreamed that one day I could be presenting it. What a dream come true. BBC Children In Need is special to me on so many different levels. It gives children hope and hope is everything. Every child deserves the chance to be somebody and BBC Children in Need always goes above and beyond to try and make this happen year in year out. For me, it’s that staple, iconic show which is part of my childhood. I remember it every year, sitting down to watch it and loving feeling a part of not only the entertainment but a movement of good and change. And of course, Pudsey – who is an icon in his own right!”
The memory that sticks with me is just my whole family sitting down to watch it when I was younger. It was always such a huge event in the TV calendar... Co-host Chris Ramsey