A star-studded line-up of singers covering Oasis track Stop Crying Your Heart Out is among the highlights for this year’s Children In Need.
The BBC’s annual charity appeal show, which is turning 40, will be hosted live in a London studio on Friday evening by Mel Giedroyc, Alex Scott, Chris Ramsey and Stephen Mangan.
They will come together to help raise money for disadvantaged UK children.
Ahead of the show, Joe Wicks completed his 24-hour workout challenge.
The fitness guru raised more than £1m with his efforts, which culminated on Friday morning.
Last year’s event raised an “on the night” total of £47.9m.
Putting in a similarly epic fundraising shift will be former One Show host Matt Baker, who returns for the Rickshaw Challenge.
The charity version of Stop Crying Your Heart Out, which was originally released in 2002, also features Bryan Adams, Nile Rodgers, Gregory Porter, Lenny Kravitz, Paloma Faith, Robbie Williams, Ava Max and Jess Glynne. It got its first airing on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Radio 2.
‘More poignant than ever’
“Children in Need is such a special charity and so loved by everyone, including me,” said Australian pop star Kylie.
“It was a privilege to take part in this recording with so many amazing artists.”
“This year it feels even more poignant than ever, and I hope we can all come together to raise as much as possible” she added.
This year sees the return of presenter Giedroyc, who joked that Children in Need “is now older than me, I can’t believe it!”
“It is an absolute honour for me to join the rest of the gang hosting a heart-warming, fabulous, surprising and entertaining show – it’s going to be blooming brilliant and a dazzingly delightful night of top telly!” added the Mel and Sue star, and former Bake Off host.
‘Incredibly challenging times’
TV presenter Emma Willis, meanwhile, will narrate Life in Lockdown – a film showing youngsters living through difficult circumstances during the coronavirus pandemic.
The feature follows research commissioned by the charity, which found that 94% of children and young people have had cause to feel worried, sad or anxious in the last six months.
“The current pandemic has affected all of our lives, but some families have additional and complex needs and challenges outside of Covid-19,” said Willis.
“Being part of this documentary, I was able to see just how vital BBC Children in Need’s funds are to families across the UK in times of crisis
“People are facing incredibly challenging times, but I hope the public tune in and donate if they can to a much-needed cause.”
There will also be appearances by the 2020 Strictly Come Dancing cast, Beverley Knight, and Shawn Mendes; as well as the cast of West End musical Six.
Comedy sketches will come courtesy of the stars of King Gary and The Goes Wrong Show.BBC
