Mel Giedroyc
The BBC Children in Need Appeal Show is back with an all-star line-up of presenters.
Published: 6 November 2018
It genuinely makes me feel proud to be British and I think the support just brings out the best in human beings.
What are you most looking forward to in being a part of the BBC Children in Need evening?
I think it’s one of the most special nights on the BBC, its feels just like a brilliant coming together of people and I think it brings out the best in people actually as well as it being really good fun with loads of entertainment, it’s just a great night and I’m very proud to be a part of it.
Are you looking forward to being reunited with all the presenters again this year? We also have Rob Beckett who is joining the team as well…
I absolutely love Rob! I think Rob is going to slay, he will be so good, and this is right up his street. The fact that it’s a live show, there’s a real sense of excitement in the studio and tonnes of stuff happening around the country. You just feel very connected with everyone, it’s brilliant and a real hoot. I seem to remember having a really good old gossip with Tess, Ade, Graham, Rochelle and Marvin before we all went on, there was cracking good gossip going on behind the scenes. There’s also a really great atmosphere in the studio as well because there are lots of kids, so it feels like a proper event for them, this night is all about the children and that’s a brilliant thing.
It was your first time presenting the evening last year, do you have any tips for new member, Rob Beckett who will be on the presenter line-up this year?
He should not come to me for any tips, I’m the last person who should give tips, he should go someone very seasoned like Graham! But I know Rob a bit and I just know he will be brilliant. It’s just about enjoying the moments and about having that energy. The evening is about people feeling like they want to give money and I think the films are brilliant because they show you directly and clearly where that money is going. We are living in very difficult times and people are concerned about the budgets that they have at home, so they want to know that their money is going directly to a fantastic cause and I think BBC Children in Need is absolutely all about that.
What does it mean to you when receiving so much support from people around the country?
It genuinely makes me feel proud to be British and I think the support just brings out the best in human beings. It’s just a really important thing and I urge everyone to get involved in whatever way that they can. The evening is such a hoot, but we can’t be pompous about it, of course there are highs and lows throughout the show, but essentially I think it really brings out the best of people.
Has there been any highlight moments for you from the BBC Children in Need evening?
A highlight for me was seeing a bunch of newsreaders dressed up in ludicrous costumes doing slightly inappropriate dancer numbers that was a favourite moment. It’s just harks back to what the BBC have always done best, which is large scale, warm and genuine funny entertainment, it’s just great.
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…
