A night of fundraising fun
IT’S that night of the year when we all need comfy sofas and deep pockets. Not to mention a box of tissues and a few stiff drinks. So bring on Pudsey Bear for the annual fundraising telethon, which as ever sees the biggest names from across the Beeb come out in force to support this brilliant cause.
Yes, the efforts can sometimes be cringeworthy (dancing newsreaders, we’re looking at you); yes, sometimes it can all get a bit jazzhands and showtunes (EastEnders’ musical numbers, we mean you), but when it’s raising millions of pounds for the most vulnerable kids in the country, who really gives a monkey’s? Hosting duties will be shared among Tess Daly, Mel Giedroyc, Ade Apitan, and Graham Norton, with Rochelle and Marvin Humes and new boy Tom Allen filling the late-night slot. There will be special treats from the likes of Doctor Who, Star Wars, Call The Midwife, Countryfile and the England football team, interspersed with moving films and musical performances from Louis Tomlinson, Westlife, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, and the Children In Need choir.
At 10pm over on BBC2 there will be a special Dragon’s Den edition of I’ll Get This, with five dragons playing games to see who will have to make the biggest donation.
There will be a Strictly Come Dancing special featuring four EastEnders, a welcome return for Crackerjack, special versions of The Hit List and Mock The Week, and kids taking charge of Graham Norton’s big red chair.