Sir Terry Wogan, Fearne Cotton, Tess Daly and Alesha Dixon have been announced as presenters for one of the biggest nights in the TV calendar, the BBC Children in Need's annual Appeal, live from Television Centre on Friday 18 November.
With even more associated programing than ever before, this will see the high point of the 2011 campaign. TV’s biggest names will give their all with a massive array of sketches, musical acts, live guests and plenty of glamour.
One Direction open the proceedings as the traditional BBC Children in Need Appeal telethon starts at 7:30pm. A whole host of music guests will follow, including JLS, Westlife, Susan Boyle and The Collective (featuring Gary Barlow, Ed Sheeran, Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Ms. Dynamite, Tulisa, Wretch 32, Rizzle Kicks, MzBratt, Dot Rotten and Labrinth) who will sing the BBC Children in Need single ‘Teardrop’.
Kylie Minogue, Daniel Craig, Jessie J, Cheryl Cole, Zoe Ball and EastEnder Jo Joyner all make film contributions; Lord Sugar enters the Dragons’ Den in The Dragons’ Apprentice and there’ll be sketches from Vic & Bob and Russell Howard’s Good News.
The cast of EastEnders rock Albert Square as The Vic does Queen and the cast of Hollyoaks appear live in the studio. Gok Wan will be singing for the first time, and the Outnumbered kids will also be giving a special performance. The Muppets lead an all-star version of the classic song ‘manah, manah’ where Miss Piggy and Kermit are joined by a cast ranging from Harry Hill to Davina McCall to the Match of the Day boys.
In a cornerstone of the evening, Gareth Malone will lead a 10-strong choir who will link up live with 3,000 children from all over the UK including Bristol, Leeds, West Midlands, Glasgow, Manchester, Cornwall, Cardiff, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, South East Kent, London, Hull, Norwich, Southampton, Newcastle and Leicester.
The Newsreaders (Emily Maitlis, Sophie Raworth, Susanna Reid and Sian Williams) try their hand at ballroom and face Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood with their own Strictly Challenge. Nick Knowles will be in the studio for DIY SOS: The Big Build to celebrate their biggest makeover to date, and there’ll be an exclusive sneak peek at the Doctor Who Christmas special. The cast of Rock of Ages and The Wizard of Oz will also be live in the studio.
There will be regional opt-outs so that each part of the nation can see what’s happening in their area to support BBC Children in Need.
Viewers across Northern Ireland will be treated to a fantastic night of entertainment including stories from local children and young people who have been supported by the charity and the fun and unusual ways in which local people have been raising money to make a difference this year.
BBC Scotland will be hosting its BBC Children in Need extravaganza live from headquarters at Pacific Quay, presented by Jackie Bird in front of an audience of fundraisers. Along with a variety of top class comedians and performers, a special choir made up of children from all over Scotland will be singing on the night, with all the performances shown in a special highlights programme to go out on Saturday 19 November.
