Gethin Jones was moved to tears on Friday's BBC Morning Live after learning that two Children in Need challenges had together raised more than £1.5m. The presenter wiped his eyes as the fundraising total was announced live on air.
Band challenge raises over £1.5m
Jones had joined forces with his Morning Live colleagues for Pudsey's Build-a-Band Challenge, fronting the band alongside Michelle Ackerly and Kym Marsh. The group had just six weeks to learn their instruments ahead of a performance at the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.
Before the band played Little Bit of Love, Gaby Roslin and Gordon Smart shared the fundraising total to give them a boost. Gordon said: "Perhaps we can give you a little bit of motivation and inspiration to give a performance of your life with a bit of a number you might want to hear."
Gaby revealed that Pudsey's Build-a-Band Challenge and The One Show's Challenge Squad had raised a combined £1,503,391 for Children in Need.
Emotional reaction and surprise announcement
The announcement prompted cheers and applause, while Gethin said: "That is so generous, thank you so much!" He then began to cry, wiping his eyes and saying: "Oh my god." Kym gave him a hug as Gaby asked: "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could get this to two million?"
There was another surprise waiting after the performance. Tom Grennan, who had been watching the band play his song, appeared with news that their challenge was not quite finished. Introducing him, Gaby said: "You're not the only music stars in the Live Lounge today. Tom Grennan, there he is."
Tom praised the performance, saying: "It was really emotional, by the way; it was so, so good." He then told the group: "Your Children in Need challenge isn't over yet. All of you need to pack up your bags and make your way to Euston station because you're going to Manchester and you're going to be performing it one last time live for Children in Need."
Viewers react with tears
The band would be appearing on the charity broadcast that evening. Offering encouragement ahead of their next performance, Tom added: "Listen, I feel like you've got this anyway; you know exactly what you're doing."
The segment also left viewers in tears, with one writing on Instagram, "Fabulous - tears watching the Morning Live performance." Another agreed, "This was amazing and so emotional," while a third added, "It brought tears to my eyes, well done!"
BBC Morning Live airs weekdays at 9.30am.
