Strictly, Outnumbered and Doctor Who stars appear in annual charity show
British Broadcasting CorporationStars of Strictly Come Dancing, Gladiators, Outnumbered and Doctor Who have come together to raise funds for this year’s Children in Need appeal.
The live entertainment extravaganza will take place on BBC One on Friday, featuring three hours of comedy, music and guests.
Celebrities taking part in the three-hour show include Graham Norton, Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue, Gary Oldman and Hugh Bonneville.
BBC Radio 2 presenter Paddy McGuinness, who will also appear at the Salford studios, has just completed a five-day children’s Chopper bike ride challenge, which raised money for the charity Over £7.5 million.
McGuinness will reveal his final fundraising total during the main segment of the Child Poverty TV show after arriving at the finish line in Glasgow earlier in the day.
The 51-year-old former Top Gear and Question of Sport presenter set out from Wrexham, nearly 300 miles away, on Monday.
The Bolton-born star said the people he met who benefited from projects funded by BBC Children in Need inspired him to take on the challenge.
This year’s TV appeal is hosted by Ade Adepitan, Chris Ramsey and Rochelle Humes, along with Vernon Kay, Mel Giedroyc and Lenny Rush.
Highlights include Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa introducing a preview of the show’s Christmas special.
The on-screen family from sitcom Outnumbered will reunite for a sketch ahead of their upcoming holiday special.
Audiences can also look forward to visits from stars of Gladiators, as well as special performances from Strictly Come Dancing, joined by professionals and cartoon character Bluey.
One poignant moment may have been the premiere of this year’s Children in Need single video – a new version of Girls Aloud’s I’ll Stand By You, with the lead vocals sung entirely by late band member Sarah Harding.
The ballad was originally released as a Children In Need song in 2004 and topped the UK charts for two weeks.
The new version uses Harding’s rediscovered solo recordings and unseen archival footage in the video. Harding died in 2021 at the age of 39.
Also on Friday, singer Ella Henderson will perform, while pop star Kylie records a special message.
Oscar-winning actor Oldman has recorded a special CBeebies bedtime story for the show.
Children In Need is the BBC charity for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
Last year’s national fundraising total for the night was £33.5 million, with the 2023 appeal raising a total of £48.8 million.
Overall, Children in Need has raised more than £1 billion for charities and projects since its first major appeal in 1980.
