Ade Adepitan
The BBC Children in Need Appeal Show is back with an all-star line-up of presenters.
Published: 6 November 2018
Go for it! Be creative, have fun and know whatever you are doing you’re going to be potentially changing the lives of young people in this country.
Why is BBC Children in Need so special to you?
Wow that’s a big question. I think me and BBC Children in Need have got history, I grew up playing Wheelchair Basketball at Stoke Mandeville and I remember when I was in the Junior championships when BBC Children in Need used to host part of their show there and they would support the players and help us with getting money for new chairs and sports equipment. It’s probably one of the earliest times when I found out that something so influential wanted to support and that means so much. Also, the work that BBC Children in Need do across the UK, is just so important. In my childhood, if I hadn’t had help from BBC Children in Need, who knows, I may not have been the player that I am today.
What is your favourite part of presenting the evening?
My favourite part…the glitz and the glamour! The suits, the celebrities, the whole package is just incredible. It’s Friday night TV at its best, its having fun in front of a live audience and on top of it, the icing on the cake is you help people raise money for amazing causes in the UK.
What has been one your favourite moments of the entertainment segments of the show?
The opening of the show because it’s a live show and however many times you do it your heart is always in your mouth, your chest is pumping, you are waiting backstage knowing you are about to go out to a huge audience and also broadcast out to millions of viewers around the country and that’s when I think wow, little old me from East London, here I am in front of all of these people and it’s time to start the show!
What stories have you heard since presenting the show has inspired you the most?
All the stories are incredible; I’m always touched by people who are fighting long term illnesses. I’ve had quite a few people in my life who have died as a result of cancer and just to see how brave some of these people are when fighting with this, especially young kids. It’s just heart breaking, but their courage really inspires me. I think it’s just so important for the nation to see that there are other people dealing with huge issues and with so much bravery and dignity.
What advice would you give to someone who might be interested in raising money for BBC Children in Need?
Go for it! Be creative, have fun and know whatever you are doing you’re going to be potentially changing the lives of young people in this country.
Additional BBC Children in Need programming
The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge
This challenge is back with an all new team of six young riders, all of whom have been supported by BBC Children in Need funded projects, and brand new 423-mile route from Calais to Salford. The team of six will push themselves to the limit, battling steep hills and braving the elements in the hope that their efforts will help them raise as much money as possible for BBC Children in Need - all of which will go on to make a difference to young lives across the UK.
A team of six young people, all of whom have been supported by BBC Children in Need-funded projects, will be joined by The One Show’s Matt Baker on the eight day challenge. It will begin on Friday 9 November in Calais, where the team will pedal 31 miles through the service tunnel of the Channel Tunnel - a route only travelled previously by the likes of professional cyclists. Once through the tunnel, the team will head north from Folkestone and make their way through England and Wales, before finally finishing in Salford on Friday 16 November, during the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show.
To date the Rickshaw Challenge has raised more than £21 million for BBC Children in Need and this year the public can join in by taking on their own ‘virtual rickshaw challenge.’ The money raised by those who take part will help push the Rickshaw Challenge fundraising total even higher. For more information and to set up a fundraising page visit: bbc.co.uk/pudsey
BBC Children in Need Rocks
On Wednesday 7 November 2018, BBC Studios will stage BBC Children in Need Rocks 2018, an unmissable concert taking place at The SSE Arena, Wembley, featuring a glittering line-up of some of the biggest names in music. They will be performing current tracks as well as a surprising cover or one of their classic hits. The spectacular show is in aid of BBC Children in Need and tickets are available now.
The concert, produced by BBC Studios, will be hosted by Fearne Cotton and Clara Amfo whilst stars George Ezra, Jess Glynne, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Olly Murs, Rita Ora, Sir Rod Stewart (and more names to be announced) will perform to thousands in the arena and millions at home when the show is broadcast at a later date on BBC One.
Countryfile Ramble for BBC Children in Need
Matt Baker, Steve Brown, John Craven, Ellie Harrison, Adam Henson and Anita Rani head out on the fourth Countryfile Ramble for BBC Children in Need. Visiting various locations across the UK, the presenters are joined by members of the public as well as inspirational children and young people who have been supported by BBC Children in Need funded projects.
Anita rambles through the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland with 13 year old Mark who has been supported by the Koram Centre; John and Steve are in Padarn Country Park in Wales with young people from Contact; Ellie leads a mass ramble in Ely with 14 year old Amy who has been supported by Spread-a-Smile; Adam is joined in Galloway Forest Park by 13 year old Karis, eight year old Logan and six year old Lewis who have been supported by Strathcarron Hospice; and Matt heads to the Isle of Skye to climb a mountain with 12 year old Josh who has been supported by Niemann-Pick UK. Tom Heap meets with some of the thousands of members of the public who have joined the call and headed out their own ramble in aid of the charity.
Stacey Dooley: The Young and Homeless
In Stacey Dooley: The Young and Homeless, a film for BBC Children in Need, broadcaster Stacey Dooley MBE, uncovers stories from the UK’s homeless teenagers. The film sensitively shares the thoughts and concerns of some of society’s most vulnerable young people.
Viewers will see Stacey give a voice to young teens experiencing homelessness, shining a light on their struggle to find a safe place to sleep and their journey in securing a stable and permanent home.
The film will also demonstrate how projects and organisations dedicated to supporting young people through these difficult times - such as those funded by BBC Children in Need - become a life-line, which give young people the hope they need to overcome their adverse situations.
This will broadcast on BBC One w/c November 12.
Across BBC English regions
The radio stations across England are pulling out all the stops again this year as they come up with more wonderful and creative ways to fundraise for BBC Children in Need . Just a small selection of examples of activity going on includes: BBC WM’s 24 hour karaoke marathon, where presenter Richie Anderson will be singing karaoke tunes for 24 hours; BBC Somerset’s Breakfast presenter, Claire Carter will be walking 75 miles in wellies; BBC Radio Merseyside will be sending their Breakfast presenter and producer out in the region as the Biking Buskers to cycle and sing at the same time.
More news to be announced in the coming weeks…
