BBC Children in Need's 2025 Appeal Night will broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Friday 14 November at 7pm. The annual fundraising extravaganza, hosted by Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay, Paddy McGuinness, Lenny Rush and Big Zuu, promises a packed evening of sketches, performances and special moments to raise money for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
Highlights include a rare Apprentice segment where Lord Sugar faces a boardroom grilling from a group of junior apprentices, and a first look at the upcoming Celebrity Apprentice Christmas Specials. BAFTA-winning chef and musician Big Zuu will read a CBeebies Bedtime Story alongside Pudsey Bear and children from a funded theatre project in Manchester.
Lenny Rush and Pudsey have been promoted to high-flying TV executives, putting children at the heart of BBC programming. This leads to a Gladiators takeover with mini contenders, while Bradley Walsh faces his own 'mini me', BBC Newsreader Sophie Raworth experiences a news desk invasion, and EastEnders characters are seen in younger form. Lionesses Ella Toone and Alessia Russo also feature in a unique BBC Sport interview.
McFly's Tom Fletcher will perform 'Thread of Hope' with his 11-year-old son and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, a song written for a new animated film for CBeebies. Remember Monday, the UK's Eurovision 2025 representatives, will also perform a special cover. The charity urges viewers to donate to help provide food, clothes, beds, mental health support, mentoring and care for children facing poverty, illness, disability or trauma.
