Q&A with Tess Daly
The BBC Children in Need Appeal Show is back with an all-star line-up of presenters.
Published: 7 November 2017
We know times are hard but we appreciate every single penny that is donated. It really does make a difference.
BBC Children in Need raised a staggering £60 million in 2016. How proud do you feel to have been part of such an incredible evening?
Sixty million is amazing and we raised £46 million on the night itself, which was the most incredible total ever! The Great British public do dig deep for BBC Children in Need as it’s a charity close to people’s hearts and it’s a charity that is for children and young people in the UK. It really is wonderful that people did dig deep to help us raise a record total. We know times are hard but we appreciate every single penny that is donated. It really does make a difference.
What do you love about being part of the BBC Children in Need evening?
I love the live show. Live TV is something I enjoy and I love the adrenaline rush of it. I love the live audience, everyone waving banners, and it just so happens to be one of the longest running ever shows! It has been running for so many years and I always think of Terry on the night - the great Sir Terry Wogan who l love to bits. It was such an honour working alongside him because he was the master of showbusiness. What he didn’t know about showbusiness - wow! He was so generous with his time and he was so lovely and effortless. I can still remember standing next to him listening to those dulcet Irish tones you have grown up with. He was such a gentleman.
Last year was the first time without him and you couldn’t help but think about him when we were in the studio. I missed him physically being there in the room. He took the fundraising side very seriously and he hosted lunches at his house. He was so much part of BBC Children in Need. He would have been so proud by the amount we raised last year. All that mattered to him was the children and raising money. He took it so seriously and he got so involved in it.
Which stories tug at your heartstrings?
I do watch the stories before I go on stage (to prepare myself). For me, it is tough when you see children who are unwell, fighting illnesses and who are so brave and so resilient. It always brings a tear to my eye when I see children who are not well. Children are naturally so brave and they are much more resilient than we are as adults with all our moans and fears! They are so joyous and that joy is contagious. It also touches my heart when watching children full stop. I am a mother. As a parent, it is always your worst nightmare should your child fall ill. You never take having a child for granted. Doing BBC Children in Need does pull at the heartstrings and they are incredibly brave children.
Do you think watching the films puts your own life into perspective?
It puts everything into perspective. When you mix with the children from the charity, they are brilliant and so much fun. They have a wonderful time cuddling Pudsey, meeting some of the pop stars and the kids are wonderful.
Do you think you can achieve an even bigger total this year?
I am not going to lie, it would be just incredible to beat it. We don’t expect it because you can’t, but fingers and toes crossed! We just hope the great British public can dig deep for BBC Children in Need. We are doing a Strictly special again this year and that’s always a good laugh. The audience is full of children who are all wearing Pudsey ears and the whole team gets involved. It’s fantastic fun.
If asked, would you take on any challenges to raise money for BBC Children in Need?
I would be up for the challenge as long as it doesn’t involve heights! I am too scared for heights. I danced once with Anton for BBC Children in Need and that was brilliant. I would be up for a challenge and why not…
What would you say to everyone watching?
Even if you can only manage a pound or two, if everyone watching donated that, then it would make such a difference. I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts who do donate.
My children will be doing dress up for BBC Children in Need at their school, they do it every year. They are baking cakes this year too. It’s wonderful that all the children get involved. This is a charity for children and they understand that and they want to make a difference.
