The glittering night will be broadcast live from the BBC and will play host to a star-studded line-up as they join together to help raise money for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
BBC Children in Need is set to bring some of the biggest names in show business together for Appeal night.
In one of the stand-out moments on the night, Sir Bruce Forsyth will return to Strictly Come Dancing alongside Tess Daly. This year, hit BBC One Show Call the Midwife will get a glittering Strictly makeover as four of its stars take to the dancefloor. Jenny Agutter, Laura Main, Stephen McGann and Jack Ashton will go head-to-head in a bid to win the Pudsey Glitter Ball trophy.
There will be lots of laughs and comedy on the night, a highlight of which will be Harry Hill, who in a one-off special will take viewers on a whirlwind tour of the history of TV in his own inimitable style.
Multi-award-winning songstress Ellie Goulding will be live in the studio with an exclusive performance of her forthcoming single, Army, while music legend Rod Stewart will treat the audience to a performance of his new song, Way Back Home. Megastar pop princess Selena Gomez will also be performing her track Same Old Love.
Later in the evening, chart-topping band Years And Years will take to the stage singing their song Eyes Shut, while in the meeting of two of the biggest pop bands in UK history, Westlife and Girls Aloud – Shane Filan and Nadine Coyle will perform their duet I Could Be for the first time on UK television.
However, musical delight isn’t just confined to the studio. Throughout the evening the show will take a trip to Walford and visit The Queen Vic where Shane Richie will play host to a house band with a special guest lead vocalist…
Leaving Albert Square behind them, the EastEnders cast will showcase themselves as you’ve never seen them before in a high-octane, glamorous performance.
Across the country, everybody is getting involved to raise money – none more so than the Children’s Choir, who will be performing live on the night. Over 1,500 children across 10 different UK locations will be coming together to sing in unison for Pudsey.
There will also be musical performances from the West End cast of Beautiful, Kinky Boots and Bend It Like Beckham.
Sir Terry Wogan, BBC Children in Need Life President, says: “It was my privilege to present the very first BBC Children in Need in 1980 and it remains a privilege and a pleasure to reflect the extraordinary generosity of the British public. For that’s what BBC Children in Need has truly become: the People’s Charity. Their pounds, shillings and pence, given so generously, have amounted to an extraordinary total so far of £790 million! You can imagine the difference that has made to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. The past couple of years have produced record-breaking totals on the big night, and it’s fingers crossed for another magnificent response from the British public. Tess, Fearne, Nick, Rochelle and I are looking forward to a mind-blowing evening of great entertainment on behalf of a great charity.”
Paul Wright, BBC Executive Producer, says: “BBC Children in Need is one of the biggest nights of the year on British television. I’m very proud of the out-of-this-world line-up we’ve brought together and everyone is taking part for one special reason – to raise money for disadvantaged children throughout the UK. With a few more BIG surprises still to be announced, I know it’s going to be a great night!”
David Ramsden, BBC Children in Need Chief Executive, adds: “This is set to be an amazing night of entertainment that will make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.”
Further details about additional entertainment on the night will be revealed in due course.