BBC Children in Need returned to screens this evening, but viewers quickly took to social media with the same question: does the fundraising show really need five presenters?
Alex Jones, Rylan, Mel Giedroyc, Tyler West and Sara Cox are fronting the appeal on BBC One, guiding viewers through an evening of entertainment, performances and appeal films aimed at raising funds for projects supporting children and young people across the UK.
Viewers question the presenting line-up
On X, one viewer remarked: "The BBC need five presenters but used to have just Terry and Gabby, I thought they wanted to save money."
Another chimed in: "Just like Comic Relief, they now need five presenters despite both shows now only being three hours long instead of all night."
A further post read: "To be fair, five presenters is overkill for three hours. It's like they dropped the marathon night of TV but kept the talent quota."
Another viewer simply stated: "It doesn't really need five presenters."
Other faces and programme details
Additional familiar faces appearing throughout the broadcast include Jordan Banjo, Emma Bunton, JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, Angela Scanlon, Gladiators Apollo and Dynamite, and Joe Wicks. Social media personalities Ash Holme, Charley Marlowe and Jack Remmington are also on hand to encourage the nation to get involved.
The live broadcast is taking place from MediaCityUK, marking the fifth consecutive year the appeal has been staged in Salford. Children in Need airs from 7pm to 10pm on Friday, November 13 on BBC One and iPlayer.
The programme description states: "Mel Giedroyc, Sara Cox, Alex Jones, Rylan and Tyler West lead a star-studded show packed with famous faces, dazzling performances, exclusive sketches, big surprises and Pudsey Bear, live from MediaCityUK in Salford."
It adds: "The One Show Challenge Squad tackle new challenges to make a difference to other young lives and Owain Wyn Evans is live in the studio after his 400-mile four nations cycle challenge. Plus, the Children in Need choir sing a medley live to help raise money for the charity."
