Rachael Davies|Nuray Bulbul|Sian Baldwin|Maryam Kara6 November 2023
Children in Need is to air tonight, November 17, on BBC.
Every year, celebrities get involved, lending their voices to the cause and taking part in televised challenges to encourage people to donate money.
Their efforts will culminate in a televised show after several weeks of different campaigns.
What is Children in Need?
Children in Need is a charity set up by the BBC to raise money for disadvantaged children and young people.
To raise money, the broadcaster holds an annual Children in Need appeal. Through fundraising, televised events and appeals since 1980, BBC Children in Need has raised more than £1 billion.
Each year, Children in Need works with a wide range of organisations, funding more than 3,900 charities and projects that support vulnerable children and young people all over the country.
Here’s who you can expect to see at Children in Need and ways to get involved.
Who will present Children in Need 2023?
There are lots of new and returning faces this year.
Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc and Jason Manford are back after hosting last year’s event - and Chris Ramsey and Alex Scott, as well as longterm supporter Lenny Henry, are joining them.
They will, according to the BBC, “present a jam-packed evening of sketches and performances featuring well-known faces as you've never seen them before.”
Sports commentator Alex Scott said: “Your support, during such a difficult time for so many, means more now than ever. We will forever be grateful! BBC Children in Need exists to change the lives of children and young people across the UK and it’s there for children when they need it the most. Your support means that they can keep striving towards their vision that every child is supported to thrive and be the best they can be.”
When is Children in Need 2023?
Children in Need Appeal Night Show will air on BBC1 and iPlayer from 7pm to 10pm on Friday, featuring a host of new shows and sketches.
What can we expect to see for Children in Need 2023?
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A one-off scene from Doctor Who will star the 14th doctor, David Tennant, and fans will be able to catch a glimpse of behind-the-scenes footage in Doctor Who: Unleashed, which will be available on BBC iPlayer.
In the Masterchef kitchen, John Torode and Gregg Wallace will be joined by some of Britain's best-loved puppets, all competing to cook and create a dish to win over the judges before the top chef is crowned.
A new sketch will also be on offer in Race Across Yorkshire, a parody of the show Race Across the World. It will feature appearances from Yorkshire icons, and pitstops allowing people to earn cash along the way.
And of course, there will be music. Viewers can expect performances from JERUB, the UK’s junior Eurovision act STAND UNIQU3, Leigh-Anne and the cast of ‘I Should Be So Lucky’.
There is to also be a debut performance from Walt Disney's Animation Studios ahead of next week's release of the film Wish starring Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine. West-End musical star Merryl Ansah will be singing a song in commemoration of the film and Disney's 100-year anniversary.
How to get involved in Children in Need 2023
Fans are asked to tune in tonight and donate what they can to the cause. This year's theme encourages people to be SPOTacular to take part.
The BBC said: “There are endless ways to get SPOTacular, like baking spotty cupcakes, wearing a spotty outfit, painting spots on your nails or putting your skills to the test with a fun on-the-spot challenge.”
It is also pushing a RunPudsey event encouraging young people and children to go for a jog, no matter how long or short.
For more information on how you can get involved visit the BBC's site.
