Graham Norton
The BBC Children in Need Appeal Show is back with an all-star line-up of presenters.
Published: 6 November 2018
Last year’s total was amazing and there’s always that pressure that you want to beat it but you never know.
What do you most enjoy about being a part of the BBC Children in Need evening?
There are two things really: firstly the chance to hang out with Mel Giedroyc who is a joy; and the other is being able to see these stories of people who are helped by BBC Children in Need - that is always a highlight.
Has there been a particular highlight moment for you since presenting the BBC Children in Need evenings?
A highlight for me was the Countryfile presenters’ dancing, that was special. John Craven had a belt buckle bigger than his head!
The charity raised £60.7 million last year - would you like to try and beat this staggering total this year?
Last year’s total was amazing and there’s always that pressure that you want to beat it but you never know. Every year you think that surely people’s belts are tightened even tighter this year so you don’t know, but you hope. The British public never cease to amaze with their generosity.
How does it make you feel knowing that you have such a great support from people around the country?
There aren’t many things that unify this great country but I do think BBC Children in Need is one of them. I love it when they do the round ups from around the country including all the different cities and you see the fundraising going on, the town squares are full of people, the schools are getting involved and there’s something about that I find really moving. I love that everyone is working together for the greater good.
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…
