Children in Need
BBC Children in Need
Charity telethon
- Sir Terry Wogan
- Sue Lawley
- Sue Cook
- Gaby Roslin
- Gloria Hunniford
- Esther Rantzen
- Joanna Lumley
- Andi Peters
- Chris Moyles
- Tess Daly
- Alesha Dixon
- Fearne Cotton
- Rochelle Humes
- Marvin Humes
- Greg James
- Ade Adepitan
- Graham Norton
- Mel Giedroyc
- Matt Edmondson
- Rob Beckett
- Tom Allen
- Alex Scott
- Chris Ramsey
- Stephen Mangan
- Jason Manford
- Lenny Rush
United Kingdom
English
- BBC Television Centre (1980–2012)
- BBC Elstree Centre (2013–20)
- Dock10 studios (2021–)[1]
5 mins - 7 hours
BBC Television
BBC Studios Entertainment Productions
21 November 1980 –
present
One of the highlights is an annual telethon, held in November and televised on BBC One and BBC Two. Pudsey Bear has been BBC Children in Need's mascot since 1985, whilst Sir Terry Wogan was its long-standing host for 35 years. A prominent annual event in British television, Children in Need is one of two high-profile British telethons. It is the only charity belonging to the BBC, the other telethon being Red Nose Day, supporting Comic Relief.
Following the closure of the BBC Television Centre, the telethon broadcasts took place at the BBC Elstree Centre from 2013 to 2020.[4] The telethon previously lasted for up to 7 hours, but since 2020, it has been reduced to a 3 hour programme from 7pm until 10pm.[5] In relation to the event having content designed for family viewing, the watershed is delayed until 11:30pm.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the telethon was reduced to a singular programme with only four presenters: Mel Giedroyc, Alex Scott, Chris Ramsey and Stephen Mangan.[6] As of November 2021, the annual telethon takes place at Dock10, MediaCityUK in Salford.[7] In October 2023, it was reported that, for the first time in Children in Need history, the BBC's 2023 appeal broadcast would have its first child co-presenter, with children's TV star and upcoming Doctor Who actor Lenny Rush taking on the role.[8]
History[edit]
Earlier BBC appeals[edit]
The BBC's first broadcast charity appeal took place in 1927, in the form of a five-minute radio broadcast on Christmas Day.[9] It raised about £1,342, which equates to about £69,950 by today's standards, and was donated to four children's charities.[9]
The first televised appeal took place in 1955 and was called the Children's Hour Christmas Appeal, with the yellow glove puppet Sooty Bear and Harry Corbett fronting it. The Christmas Day Appeals continued on TV and radio until 1979.[9] During that time a total of £625,836 was raised. Terry Wogan first appeared during this five-minute appeal in 1978 and again in 1979.[9] Sometimes cartoon characters such as Peter Pan and Tom and Jerry were used.
Telethon[edit]
Acts[edit]
The telethon features performances from many top singers and groups, with many celebrities also appearing on the 6+1⁄2-hour-long programme performing various activities such as sketches or musical numbers. Featured celebrities often include those from programmes on rival network ITV, including some appearing in-character, and/or from the sets of their own programmes. A performance by BBC newsreaders became an annual fixture. Stars of newly opened West End musicals regularly perform a number from their show later in the evening after "curtain call" in their respective theatres.