United ambition to raise a laugh and lots of cash for Children in Need
The stars of this year’s appeal share their hopes with Georgia Humphreys
It’s that time of year again; Pudsey Bear is back on our screens. As ever, the BBC’S Children in Need appeal night promises to be a jam-packed evening of entertainment, broadcast live from Elstree Studios, with the famous cuddly mascot in tow.
There’s something for everyone watching.
For those who love West End shows, don’t miss a special performance from Big the Musical.
Meanwhile, A-list stars from the documentary BBC Children in Need: Got It Covered – which aired last month and saw 10 big-name actors come together to record an album – will be in the studio on the night to talk about the project.
Not forgetting we can expect special editions of TV programmes, such as Mock the Week, Crackerjack and Dragons’ Den, plus live music from Louis Tomlinson, Westlife, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.
The aim? To raise as much money as possible in order to help disadvantaged children and young people across the UK; BBC Children in Need is currently supporting over 3,000 local charities and projects, and there will be plenty of emotional fundraising films throughout the night.
Let’s meet the brilliant group of famous names taking on presenting duties.
Tess Daly
The Strictly Come Dancing host is one of the most recognisable faces of Children in Need.
It’s a job the 50-year-old has had since 2008; she used to present alongside the late Sir Terry Wogan (“What a pleasure and utter privilege that was.”).
Is there anything she does in particular to prepare for the evening?
“I sleep! Or rather I try! It’s the start of a busy weekend for me, and I literally walk off the studio floor and into the car to head up to Blackpool for our Strictly special.
“I also pre-watch all the appeal films, as many of them are incredibly emotive and if I watched them for the first time live on the night I’d be in floods of tears and unable to speak.”
Graham Norton
The Irish star, 56, acknowledges the night is “one of those rare occasions when the whole country is inspired to join together to support some truly inspirational causes”.
This year’s telethon includes a take-over of The Graham Norton Show studio for a special edition of The Big Red chair, featuring three carers as guests on Graham’s sofa.
Does he think donations on the night this year can top last year’s show (a recordbreaking £50.6 million)?
“It seems impossible, but we can but dream. After all, that’s what CIN is all about.”
Marvin and Rochelle Humes
The husband-and-wife team are back presenting live together, and there’s a special of their Saturday night music quiz, The Hit List – featuring three celebrity teams – coming our way.
“There aren’t many things that unify this great country, but I do think BBC Children in Need is one of them,” suggests former JLS star Marvin, 34.
Rochelle, 30 – who’s best known for being a member of S Club Juniors and The Saturdays – confides she does the same as Daly ahead of the big night.
“To be honest, I always try to watch a lot of the show before the evening so I can get the tears out. I don’t want to distract from the children and the main focus of the show.”
Mel Giedroyc
The comedian and actress, 51, can’t wait to be presenting onstage with Norton again.
“He is the best fun to work with. In fact, he doesn’t make it feel like work at all. It’ll be lovely to see the whole gang, actually.”
Ade Adepitan
Asked what his favourite part of presenting Children in Need is, Nigeria-born Adepitan, 46, responds: “The opening is incredible. When you first go live and you see everybody, all of the audience, and you know everybody at home is watching, it just makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.”
The Paralympian basketball player uses a wheelchair as a result of contracting polio at 15 months old, which caused him to lose the use of his left leg.
And Children in Need helped a charity that he belonged to as a child.
“It was just really nice to know that complete strangers, people who you don’t know in the UK, who you’ve never met before, care enough to go out and do challenges to help support people who really need it in this country.”
Tom Allen
Joining Marvin and Rochelle this year is Tom Allen, known for shows such as Bake Off: The Professionals, The Great British Bake Off: Extra Slice and The Apprentice: You’re Fired!
He calls it a “huge honour” to be part of the presenting line up for the first time.
“It is a great cause but what makes Children in Need special is it brings everyone together around the country,” says the comedian.
“I pre-watch all the appeal films. If I watched them for the first time live on the night I’d be in floods of tears and unable to speak”
● The BBC Children in Need Appeal night returns to BBC1 this evening at 7:30pm.