Q&A with Marvin Humes
The BBC Children in Need Appeal Show is back with an all-star line-up of presenters.
Published: 7 November 2017
I don’t get as nervous when I have got Roch with me. It’s such an amazing night and great to be part of it all.
How are you feeling to be back hosting with Rochelle on BBC Children in Need?
It’s so nice to be back again hosting. Last year was the first time Roch and I were part of the show together. We absolutely loved it. BBC Children in Need is such a great British institution. It’s incredible and a dream come true.
I have always supported it growing up and going to school knowing who Pudsey was! Fast-forward to being in JLS and doing the official single one year was amazing. We wrote it ourselves and it went to number one. Now fast forward to Roch and I hosting it. The great thing is I do get to work with the wife, which is really cool! We don’t get to do it that often. Hosting together is something quite unique, because we are husband and wife doing it together. Ultimately last year was a record-breaking year. We raised 60 million.
Were you delighted so many did donate?
There are so many charity events now all year round and it is incredible to think that people still give what they can.
Have you been involved with any of the projects that BBC Children in Need helps?
Yes I have been to various projects over the years. They are incredible. It’s clichéd but what you can give really does help.
Is there anything that’s really tugged at your heartstrings?
The most heart-wrenching story was last year when there was a family, who lost not one but two of their children to cancer and that was just unbearable. It was unimaginable to think that your worst nightmare as a parent would be to lose one of your children. This family lost another. You can’t put it into words what they have gone through. The strength they showed and how encouraged they were being there in the studio that evening was so lovely. It brings home how people can donate to help such incredible causes.
Does being a dad bring it home to you even more?
It definitely means more when you have children. You can’t help but think about yourself being in that position. It really hits home. When you get home, you give your kids an extra hug and squeeze and know how lucky you are not to have gone through some of those same situations (as on the show itself). It spurs you on to do the most you can to raise awareness and keep driving the message to raise money every year.
Do you get nervous on the night itself?
You are always going to get butterflies being part of such a big show. But as I have got Roch next to me, those nerves are a little bit easier as I know her so well and she is by my side. I don’t get as nervous when I have got Roch with me. It’s such an amazing night and great to be part of it all.
And finally, what were your favourite parts from last year?
The atmosphere in the studio is electric. Everyone had such a great time. It’s a great cause and I can’t wait to do it all over again. Hopefully it will be another record-breaking night!
