BBC One has announced that the BBC Children in Need Appeal show returns on Friday 16 November, live once more from Television Centre.
Sir Terry Wogan will be joined by Fearne Cotton, Tess Daly plus Nick Grimshaw to host a bigger than ever, spectacular night of musical entertainment, sketches, special features, glitz, glamour and guest appearances.
This year’s appeal night will be the pinnacle of a vast range of programming contributing to the 2012 BBC Children in Need campaign. The biggest names in entertainment will come together to support the appeal and help to raise money for disadvantaged children in the UK.
The star-studded evening of entertainment will feature music performances from One Direction who kick off the programme, plus Little Mix, Susan Boyle, Leona Lewis, The Script, Paloma Faith, Il Divo and Tim Minchin. Pop superstars Girls Aloud will also reunite live in the studio for the exclusive first TV performance of their much anticipated official Children in Need 2012 single entitled ‘Something New’.
“It’s an honour to open BBC Children in Need’s Appeal show again this year and we are so excited about performing on the big night. Children in Need is such an important cause, one which we are always thrilled to support,” said One Direction.
“It’s a huge privilege for us to perform the Children in Need official single this year and we’re really looking forward to making our first TV performance of ‘Something New’ on Appeal night. The charity has always meant a lot to us and we hope to raise as much money from the single as possible!” added Girls Aloud.
Britain’s Got Talent 2012 winner Pudsey the dog will finally meet his namesake, Children in Need’s own Pudsey bear, for an exclusive dance performance extravaganza.
“I am delighted to be able to return to Children in Need this year and support this event,” said Susan Boyle. “It is a fantastic charity that raises much needed funds for children and I would urge everyone to be as generous as possible. I can’t wait to be a part of this wonderful evening, hopefully we can beat last year’s total and raise even more this year!”
“It’s a privilege for The Script to be involved in Children in Need in this year,” added The Script. “We will do our best to try help raise as much money as we can on the night for those who need it the most. It’s gonna be an amazing night with a brilliant line-up. So bring your wallets and dig deep.”
Around 20 of Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes including Tom Daley, Rebecca Adlington, Louis Smith, David Weir, Nicola Adams and Ellie Simmonds will be throwing shapes in their very own music video set to Basement Jaxx’s ‘Do Your Thing’ – including a special section featuring members of the 3 Day Eventing team: Zara Phillips, Nicola Wilson and Tina Cook dancing the ‘Gangnam Style’.
Strictly Come Dancing viewers’ favourites Ann Widdecombe and Russell Grant will return to the dance floor on a wing and a prayer for an unmissable performance with their partners Anton Du Beke and Flavia Cacace.
Doctor Who, featuring Matt Smith, will also bring viewers an extra special ‘prequel’ to its Christmas special, with a bespoke storyline made for Children in Need, and an exclusive preview trailer of the Christmas special including the first glimpse of the Doctor with his new companion. There will also be an exclusive preview of the Call The Midwife Christmas special.
The BBC Newsreaders, Fiona Bruce, Sophie Raworth and Bill Turnbull, will be pitting their driving skills against each other in a special edition of Top Gear’s ‘Star in a reasonably priced car’. A host of comedy specials will also feature including an exclusive episode of Not Going Out with Lee Mack featuring a cameo appearance from Sir Terry Wogan himself.
The action will spread across the country, as presenter and former chorister Aled Jones leads The Choir, which once more unites children across the UK’s nations and regions and leads a 2,500 strong chorus of young singers in an unforgettable performance of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’.
Viewers will also get a rare treat as pop princess Kylie Minogue performs reworkings of some of her classic hits accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra, filmed at Proms in the Park in Hyde Park earlier this summer. Also EastEnder Shona McGarty (who plays Whitney) will be singing an extra special number.
The evening will feature films highlighting some of the vital work the charity is doing to change the lives of children throughout the UK. Fearne Cotton will introduce an appeal film on bullying and Robbie Williams will help tell the moving story of a family supported by Children in Need through a time of grief. Olympian Tom Daley will front a film about a teenage hero who has been helped by Children in Need and EastEnders actress Nina Wadia (who plays Zainab) meets a little boy whose life has been transformed by Children in Need’s “Friendship Project”.
Totaliser updates will be dotted throughout the night to keep viewers up to date with the total amount raised.
Sir Terry Wogan, Children in Need Life President says: "Children in Need as ever is graced by the presence of lovely ladies Tess and Fearne, and this year I’ll be delighted to welcome Radio 1’s morning star, Nick Grimshaw, to prop me up as the Friday appeal stretches into Saturday, and we head for what we hope will be another record-breaking total for the people’s charity. Every year of Children in Need is a shining tribute to the extraordinary generosity of the British people.’’
Clare Pizey, BBC Executive Producer, says: “This year’s Children in Need is bigger and more ambitious than ever. I am delighted with the spectacular line-up who will come together to help raise money for the children who need it most, plus the fantastic addition of Nick Grimshaw to the presenting team. This is just a taste of what is to come, viewers can look forward to a few more extra special surprises on the night too. We will be asking the nation to call in with their pledges before the night is done, to help make this is an even more successful year for the charity.”
David Ramsden, BBC Children in Need Chief Executive, added: “This year’s Campaign is bigger and better than ever and people right across the country are once again coming together to raise thousands that will help change the lives of disadvantaged children right here in the UK.”
Broadcast details
Friday 16th November
The One Show’s Children in Need special BBC One, 7.00pm – 7.30pm, with Matt Baker and Alex Jones
BBC Children in Need BBC One, 7.30pm – 10.00pm, with Sir Terry Wogan, Fearne Cotton, Tess Daly
BBC Children in Need BBC Two, 10.00pm – 10.35pm, (during the BBC One Ten O’Clock News) with Sir Terry Wogan and Fearne Cotton
BBC Children in Need BBC One, 10.35pm – time tbc approx. 1.30/2.00am, with Sir Terry Wogan, Fearne Cotton and Nick Grimshaw
Source: bbc.co.uk
