The BBC's annual Children In Need appeal has once again demonstrated the UK's immense generosity, raising a staggering £45,507,536 during its live television broadcast on Friday, 14 November 2025.
The three-hour spectacle, filmed live from MediaCityUK in Salford, featured a host of musical performances and comedy sketches, all dedicated to raising money for vulnerable children across the country.
Star-Studded Performances and Emotional Highlights
A lineup of celebrated artists took to the stage to support the cause. Lewis Capaldi delivered a poignant piano rendition of his new track, 'The Day That I Die', while Sam Ryder and Ella Eyre also performed.
In a particularly moving segment, the UK's Eurovision stars, Remember Monday, performed a powerful version of Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day' with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Their performance was accompanied by a montage of heartfelt testimonies from young people who have been directly helped by the charity's work.
The musical talent extended to a younger generation, as Tom Fletcher's son, Buzz, performed a song from the new animated film 'Pudsey And The Thread Of Hope' with his father. Buzz expressed his delight at following in his dad's footsteps for the special occasion.
Comedy Sketches and Presenter Challenges
The charity's iconic mascot, Pudsey Bear, was at the centre of the evening's entertainment. In a clever sketch, the yellow bear and 16-year-old presenter Lenny Rush were appointed as the BBC's new 'TV big cheeses'.
A voiceover by Mel Giedroyc stated that Rush had vowed to put children at the heart of all BBC programming. The sketch, which also featured Richard Madeley threatening to fire the duo, was a light-hearted nod to recent real-life management changes at the corporation.
The presenting team, including Vernon Kay, Paddy McGuinness, Rochelle Humes, Mel Giedroyc, and Big Zuu, kept the energy high throughout the night. Giedroyc and Big Zuu even participated in a live workout led by fitness guru Joe Wicks, joined by professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing.
Incredible Fundraising Feats
Beyond the studio, remarkable fundraising efforts were celebrated. BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox completed an extraordinary challenge, covering 135 miles – the equivalent of five marathons – in just five days.
Her journey on foot from Kielder Forest in Northumberland to Pudsey in Leeds had, by the time of the broadcast, raised an incredible £9,523,028 for the charity. An emotional Cox described herself as an 'absolute wreck' during the appeal show, calling the experience a 'rollercoaster'.
Other highlights included a four-hour livestreamed DJ set by DJ AG outside the studio, and a special performance by teenage carer Eloise from Scotland with the London cast of Starlight Express.
The funds raised will support a vast network of vital services across the UK, including family centres, youth clubs, homeless shelters, hospices, and helplines, ensuring the charity's work continues to change young lives.
