Children in Need 2022 | Everything You Need to Know

BBC Children in Need will be broadcasting live from MediaCityUK in Salford for a SPOTacular evening of entertainment.

From Blankety Blank to The Weakest Link, the annual fundraiser will be jam-packed with exclusive sketches, exciting performances, music, dance and a few BIG surprises! The appeal night will be a brilliant spectacle not to miss and will raise money for children and young people across the UK facing a range of challenges, who need help now more than ever.

This year the show will be hosted by Ade Adepitan MBE, Mel Giedroyc, Chris Ramsey, Alex Scott MBE and, for the first time, comedian Jason Manford.

Money raised through BBC Children in Need’s 2022 Appeal will enable us to provide vital frontline support to children and young people across the UK during the cost of living crisis, supporting them to thrive and be the best they can be.

BBC Children in Need Appeal Night Show – Friday 18 November from 7pm on BBC One & iPlayer.

Donation details

Supporting BBC Children in Need this year is easier than ever, to learn more about the charity or make a donation to help transform the lives of children and young people across the UK, visit: http://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk

• You can also call 0345 7 33 22 33 and make a donation over the phone. (Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply).
• You can donate on the phone or on the BBC Children in Need website. Use your debit or credit card, or your PayPal account.
• Pay in your fundraising money at all major banks, building societies, or the Post Office.
• Send a cheque or postal order to BBC Children in Need, PO Box 648, Salford, M5 0LB.
• To donate £5 text the word DONATE to 70405, to donate £10 text the word DONATE to 70410, to donate £20 text DONATE to 70420 or to donate £30 text DONATE to 70430. Texts will cost your donation plus your standard network message charge and all of your donation will go to BBC Children in Need. You must be 16 or over and have the bill payer‘s permission. Text Services close at midnight on 30th November 2023. For full terms and more information visit http://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk

Appeal night highlights

Some of the items featuring on the appeal night show. More to be announced in due course.

Blankety Blank

Bradley Walsh hosts a very special children’s takeover of Blankety Blank with contestants Maisie Smith and John Waite.

The Repair Shop

The Repair Shop team share the story behind a very special restoration and, in a TV first, will be revealing the results of the repair on the BBC Children in Need stage.

Graham Norton’s Red Chair

Celebrities once again take on Graham Norton’s infamous Red Chair – with their fate in the hands of some cheeky youngsters.

The Weakest Link

Romesh Ranganathan will be hosting a special edition of the iconic game show in the studio – with a BBC Children in Need twist.

Fundraiser of the Year

The Sir Terry Wogan Fundraiser of the Year Awards are a chance to say a huge thank you to the people who support BBC Children in Need and make a big difference to children’s lives across the UK. Brand new for 2022, we are excited to announce two different awards, one for young fundraisers and one for adult fundraisers. The winners will be introduced on the night by BBC Radio 2’s Michael Ball OBE.

Junior Eurovision

For the first time in the 20 year history of the competition, the BBC will broadcast the Junior Eurovision Song Contest live from Armenia, as a simulcast on BBC One and CBBC on December 11th. After a nationwide search, a young contestant has been selected to fly out to Yerevan to represent the UK and compete against 15 other countries. In a TV exclusive for BBC Children In Need the UK’s act will perform the song live for the very first time.

Musical Performances

There’ll be an abundance of singing and dancing on the BBC Children in Need stage with music from the sensational Lewis Capaldi, a very special bespoke routine from the amazing dance troupe Diversity and much more. Plus, the BBC Children in Need Choir is back with a special rendition of Somewhere Only We Know by Keane.

Appeal Films

Throughout the evening, films of children from around the UK will be shown to highlight the important work from BBC Children in Need.

Q&A with Appeal Night Presenters

Ade Adepitan MBE

Why did you want to be involved with this year’s Appeal night?

I love working with BBC Children in Need and being part of the show. It is an incredible night, and after the last few years, with COVID, and the cost of living crisis, the work that BBC Children in Need does is more important than ever.

What does the charity mean to you?

The charity personally helped me, and lots of people I know from the disability world have also benefitted. I recognise how important it is for young people and their families to get the help they need when they really need it.

How do you prepare for presenting a live show?

It’s important to be relaxed. The rehearsal is really useful the day before. I make sure I learn my script and get a good night’s sleep, then just make sure I enjoy it. It’s one of the best jobs in the world presenting live. BBC Children in Need is a really emotional night with a lot of powerful stories, so it’s important to me to be real and genuine, and show my feelings, and be happy too.

Can you tell us a little bit about the appeal night? What can viewers look forward to?

There are some amazing sketches, performances and family favourites in this year’s show as well as a few surprises. We’ll also have some returning favourites such as fundraiser of the year. I know that viewers are in for a fantastic evening of entertainment all for an incredible cause.

What are your fondest memories of BBC Children in Need?

Probably the first time I ever presented with Graham Norton. I had massive butterflies. Loads of adrenaline – I was really nervous, but also so proud to be involved.

Finally why should viewers tune in to this year’s appeal show?

In tough times like we have now, the most important thing is to come together as a country. Even if we can’t help financially, let’s share the experience and have a fun night together as a nation.

Mel Giedroyc

Why did you want to be involved with this year’s Appeal night?

More than ever I want to be involved. There are so many children facing the very real crisis of poverty this winter and it is our honour and duty at BBC Children in Need to try and help.

What does the charity mean to you?

I feel utter pride when I think of BBC Children in Need. The length of time it’s been helping children, the way in which it does it, the positivity it brings to so many – I’m genuinely so happy to be involved

How do you prepare for presenting a live show?

Some loud music, some laughs and that unbelievable feeling of feeding off the crowd in the studio before we go live on air. That will be particularly poignant and amazing this year after a couple of years of COVID restrictions

Can you tell us a little bit about the Appeal night? What can viewers look forward to?

The core of the night is always those incredible appeal films. They are the absolute reason that we’re all there in the studio and viewers are watching at home. But it’s fantastic to add positivity, joy and hope into the mix too. Live music of course, sketches, and of course some surprises too. And the slight feeling, because it’s live, that anything could happen at any time. It’s magical. And it’s AMAZING to have tons of kids in the audience. I love that so much. I love seeing what everyone’s been doing to fund-raise all around the country – that is such a big part of BBC Children in Need. AND PUDSEY… .the sweet sweet bear. He never gets old.

What are your fondest memories of BBC Children in Need?

I’m not sure if I have fabricated this in my mind but did Angela Rippon appear one year bearing an enormous cheque dressed as a belly dancer? I also remember the legend that is John Craven doing a rap at the end of our BBC Children in Need single a few years ago. WE GOT TO NUMBER ONE and I met Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters and was able to hold my head up and say “Dave, I have had a number one single in the UK. Have you?” I don’t think he had.

Why should viewers tune in to this year’s appeal show?

It is life-affirming, it brings us all together, we can think about something positive and wonderful as opposed to the toxic negativity which has been swirling around this country for too long now. Anything that people can give, ANYTHING at all is brilliant. We may not have a totaliser that busts the planet this year – it doesn’t matter – even if you just throw 50p into a bucket then that’s fab. If you’re a billionaire watching the show, I expect at least 10 million quid off you this year. Come on. Just do it.

Finally what advice do you have for Jason on his first time presenting the show?

Don’t watch me. Do the opposite of what I do. Literally distance yourself from me.

Chris Ramsey

Why did you want to be involved with this year’s Appeal night?

Being a presenter for BBC Children in Need’s Appeal show is one of the proudest achievements in my career and it is always an honour to be asked.

What does the charity mean to you?

BBC Children in Need is such an important charity in this country. The money raised is vital, but the act of raising it also brings people together for a great cause, which is so very much needed right now.

How do you prepare for presenting a live show?

I scream all of my swear word allocation for the day into a pillow in the hotel before the show, have a cuppa, maybe a banana and make sure I know where to stand.

Can you tell us a little bit about the Appeal night? What can viewers look forward to?

As always we have an incredible line up of music, comedy and entertainment as well as our incredible appeal videos which remind us why we are all here on the night.

What are your fondest memories of BBC Children in Need?

Watching it every year with my parents while growing up. It’s still a very surreal experience being on the other side of the camera.

What advice do you have for Jason on his first time presenting the show?

Water proof make up! It gets emotional.

Finally why should viewers tune in to this year’s Appeal show?

Because this year, people need help more than ever. And people need a laugh and entertained and brought together more than ever. So if you can give anything on the night. Please do. But if you can’t… just enjoy the show we’ve got lined up for you!

Alex Scott MBE

Why did you want to be involved with this year’s Appeal night?

I look forward to it every year and this year is going to be even more special as we’ll have a live audience with us. The whole evening is honestly just magical and it means so much to me to be presenting again

What does the charity mean to you?

BBC Children in Need holds a special place in my heart, the stories from the incredible children and the generosity of the British public never ceases to amaze me. I feel very honoured to be presenting another incredible night of fundraising

How do you prepare for presenting a live show?

I like to make sure that I’m always super prepared for everything I do to make sure that I can do the best job I can on the night. It’s different for every show but I’ll be reading through the scripts, researching etc. ahead of the show. I’ll also probably be listening to some 90’s RnB backstage while I get ready to get me in the zone.

Can you tell us a little bit about the Appeal night?

What can viewers look forward to? In true BBC Children in Need style there will be lots of brilliant sketches, some very special edition of the programmes we know and love and also some stellar performances from special guests.

What are your fondest memories of BBC Children in Need?

Gosh, there are so many! The amazing Sir Terry Wogan, the Pudsey challenges, all the BBC Children in Need mash ups and The Repair Shop is one of my favourites – there’s so many to choose from. Each year the show is incredible.

Finally why should viewers tune in to this year’s Appeal show?

Tune in for an amazing night of entertainment, some inspiring stories from some amazing children around the nation, generosity and a lot of fun!

Jason Manford

Jason this is your first-time presenting BBC Children in Need, why did you want to take part?

It’s always been a charity that I’ve been involved with. I’ve fundraised for it in the past and obviously watched the night from when I was a child myself. It’s a charity that helps children from lots of different areas and backgrounds, but specifically for me, being from a background- an underprivileged background- myself, being able to help a charity that helps those children means a lot to me.

What does the charity mean to you?

I’m involved in lots of different children’s charities throughout the country and certainly in the North West. I know that these charities are helped by BBC Children in Need, and I know how much it does for them. I’ve seen first-hand where this money goes and who this money can help and so to be able to be part of a show that helps raise that money to help those charities is a real privilege.

Has anyone given you any good tips or advice for presenting the live show?

Not really, obviously I’ve hosted live shows before and I work live every night on tour. Chris Ramsey rang me and said it’s a long night, wear comfy shoes! He also said the accumulator at the end of the night, when you find out the money you’ve made is one of the most exciting things in all of television.

What are your fondest memories of BBC Children in Need?

Well, the good bit about BBC Children in Need is that it’s been there for most of our, well certainly most of my life. I think it’s fantastic to see people doing things they don’t normally do. I remember back in the day when you’d have the BBC newsreaders doing Rocky Horror Show and when EastEnders and Coronation Street did a little mashup called ‘East Street’. I remember that happening twenty years ago. Also, somebody sawed Simon Cowell in half, that was pretty good! A standout memory for me was when they did that wonderful song Perfect Day I remember that being a real moment. But I just love seeing anybody do different things you know, and that’s what’s great about the show, that anything can happen.

Finally, why should viewers tune in to this year’s Appeal show?

This is going be a difficult year for lots of people, we know that it’s going to be a tough one. BBC Children in Need is fundamentally an entertainment show, a few hours where you can watch some great charities and great appeals that have been helped by BBC Children in Need over the years.

You may have donated previously over the years, and you can see where that money has gone, how it is helping those charities in need, which I think is important.

It really is a wonderful evening, we’re there all night to entertain you and to be together. It’s live, which means anything could happen, but of course as you know the most important thing is that we raise money for these charities and these appeals all over the country. To help children who in their worst time need somebody else to look out for them.

So, it’s an entertaining night, it’s a heart-warming night, and it’s a life-affirming night because we all know that even in the darkest of times there are charities like BBC Children in Need that can really make a difference.

Walk with Joe

As part of Walk with Joe, Joe Wicks will also be walking an epic -marathon to further support BBC Children in Need this year! On Friday November 18, Joe will start his walk in MediaCityUK and aim to finish in ten hours to reach the BBC Children in Need Great SPOTacular Appeal Show. Along the way, Joe will be joined by special guests, including charity fundraisers and other celebrity friends. The event will be live streamed on Joe’s Facebook and he’ll also face some unexpected surprises and challenges along the way.

Q&A with Joe Wicks

Can you tell us a little bit about Walk with Joe?

I am really excited about Walk With Joe as for me exercise is such an important part of everyday life and is so beneficial to my mental wellbeing! Essentially, over the first two weekends in November, Walk with Joe encourages people in communities across the UK to head to their local parkrun event and walk the route with family and friends to boost their physical and mental wellbeing. We know times are incredibly difficult, so we are simply asking for those that can, to donate to BBC Children in Need to support children and young people in communities across the UK.

What inspired you to take on the marathon on the BBC Children in Need day?

I wanted to do as much as I could for the charity again this year, especially given how hard things are for so many children and young people in the UK right now. I really believe in what BBC Children in Need does, and have seen first-hand the difference their funding makes, so wanted to go above and beyond to try and make a difference, especially given the unimaginable challenges kids across the UK are facing right now.

How are you preparing for the marathon?

I am just getting in as many long walks as I possibly can! I love a challenge, and thinking of how money raised could change a young person’s live, or simply help them get through a hard time, will definitely spur me on.

Can you tease any of the names who might be joining you?

I don’t even know who will be joining me, it’s all being kept as top secret, but I cannot wait to see who will come out on Appeal day to keep me company!

You are an ambassador for BBC Children in Need, what does the charity mean to you?

As a father of three, I am so incredibly proud to be an Ambassador for BBC Children in Need and am hugely passionate about the incredible difference they make to children and young people in communities the length and breadth of the UK. I have been lucky enough to visit a wide variety of the projects that they fund and am always blown away by the impact they make on children and young people. They provide them with a safe place to go, where they are surrounded by incredible people that support and inspire them to thrive and be the best they can be, and I think that’s pretty remarkable.

What are your fondest memories of BBC Children in Need?

Like so many people, I grew up with BBC Children in Need, it was one of my first experiences of fundraising, and it was always just such an exciting day of the year at school. So to now be an ambassador that takes on fundraising challenges myself, is pretty special!

Other programming around BBC Children in Need

Rickshaw Relay Rides Again!

Matt Baker MBE and a team of five incredibly inspiring young people, all of whom have been supported by BBC Children in Need funded projects, take on a relay-style ride over five days.

Each rider will take a section of the journey, travelling through their hometowns and visiting places across the UK which hold a particular significance for them along the way.

A special one-off documentary sharing the team’s remarkable stories as well as looking at the history of the Rickshaw Challenge will air on Tuesday 15 November on BBC One and iPlayer.

Q&A with Matt Baker, Rickshaw Challenge

Why did you want to be involved with this year’s Rickshaw Challenge?

I’ve been doing the Rickshaw Challenge for the last 12 years and it is the highlight of my year. It’s such a special thing to be a part of, and every year I get to cycle alongside truly incredible young people as they share their stories with me. The Rickshaw Challenge is at the heart of what BBC Children in Need is all about – it’s testament to the work of the projects funded by BBC Children in Need and it shows that if you give young people an opportunity, and support them, you’ll watch them fly.

Why is the Rickshaw Challenge so important to you?

Over the last 12 years, we have raised more than £43million for BBC Children in Need and that money has gone on to make a difference to the lives of countless young people across the UK just like our young riders this year. The generosity of the British public is what keeps the wheels of the Rickshaw turning and we are so grateful for the support we’ve been given over the last 12 years – it is truly life changing. So thank you!

How do you prepare for undertaking the challenge?

In short, I don’t! I don’t do any training at all. It’s all part of the fun of it! It’s the conversation that keeps me going.

Can you tell us a little bit about the special Rickshaw show? What can viewers look forward to?

I can’t wait for you to all meet our five riders this year – each of them has their own special story to tell about how they have overcome challenges in their lives and been supported by incredible projects that have all received funding from BBC Children in Need. They’re taking me to each of their hometowns and it’s just amazing to see all of the support on the road for them from friends, family, neighbours and just members of the community who want to show their support, which you’ll be able to see when you watch the programme. We also visit some incredibly beautiful landscapes on the route. We travel through the north east from Sunderland to Durham, which is where I grew up, then head to Warrington in Cheshire and travel down to Wrexham, then we do a route out to the sea around Aberystwyth, a day travelling from Birmingham to Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, then finally we finish our route travelling through Northampton to Silverstone Race Track. It’s quite a tour!

What are your fondest memories of BBC Children in Need?

For me, it’s all about the Rickshaw Challenge – it’s been a huge part of my life for the last 12 years and there is something so special about getting to cycle alongside these young people and hear their stories. It also amazes me year on year how many people come out to support us on the road, some of my fondest memories are of me and Team Rickshaw cycling through the toughest conditions and then seeing supporters lining the route to cheer us through to the finish. It’s what keeps us going and it’s what keeps the Rickshaw going every year. I also sit on the board of BBC Children in Need and it’s a privilege to see the nuts and bolts of the charity and the work that goes in year round to support as many young people and families across the UK.

What have you learnt from this year’s Rickshaw riders?

Often these young people live quietly in their community and take on these challenges with their families by their sides and they’re unaware of the impact they have on their wider community. Doing this challenge alongside them has shown them how much respect is out there for what they’ve been through, and it’s a joy for me to witness and see them in grow in confidence.

Why should viewers tune in to this year’s Rickshaw Challenge?

The Rickshaw has become an icon of BBC Children in Need and it’s a celebration of everything the charity stands for. It’s feel good television, about real people and the situations that they find themselves in, and how helping each other can get you through. If you want to watch something that will be incredibly heart-warming and inspiring then please do tune in on 15 November!

DIY SOS

This year, in one of their biggest challenges yet, DIY SOS will build a brand-new home for Leeds based, BBC Children in Need funded project, Getaway Girls.

DIY SOS Children in Need 2022 will see Nick Knowles, and his trusty team of Chris, Jules, Billy & designer Gabrielle Blackman joined by BBC Radio 2 presenters, who will don their steel toe capped boots, high viz and hard hats to help make a difference. They’ll be joined by an army of volunteers to create the charity’s new building – from the ground up – in just nine days.

The new building will be sited in Seacroft and will provide a much-needed safe space for vulnerable girls and young women living in Leeds. They’ll be able to access support and advice. The new building will include offices, a creche, activity spaces, a music and media studio, counselling rooms and a garden.

Getaway Girls is a 35-year-old charity which supports a diverse range of women and girls from across the city, with a focus on raising aspirations, providing support and creating opportunities to help them reach their potential and build a better future.

Getaway Girls also works with those facing a variety of different challenges and barriers in their lives: from newly arrived refugees to girls who have experienced domestic violence, exploitation or sexual abuse.

The charity delivers crucial support to around 800 girls and young women, while also providing access to activities such as residential weekends, music sessions and sport. It strives to improve mental health and helps girls to develop confidence and improve self- esteem, raising their aspirations for the future. BBC Children in Need has funded Getaway Girls since 2010.