Stars from the worlds of TV, music, movies and sport will join forces for the BBC’s Children In Need Appeal Show tonight.
The annual charity telethon event, broadcast live, will include pre-recorded sketches and clips along with live music performances and other entertaining segments in order to encourage viewers to part with their cash for a good cause.
Highlights will include a performance by Ricky Gervais in character as David Brent and the EastEnders cast taking part in what has been described as a “breathtaking extravaganza”.
Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne appears in a sketch recorded on the set of his new film Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them.
Team GB’s Helen Glover MBE, Hollie Webb, Joe Clarke and Lutalo Muhammad will take to the dance floor for a Strictly Come Dancing special along with professional dancers Janette Manrara, Karen Clifton, Pasha Kovalev and Neil Jones.
Sci-fi fans are going to get a glimpse of an exclusive clip from this year’s Doctor Who Christmas episode, starring Peter Capaldi as the Time Lord and with an appearance from Matt Lucas.
There will also be a special children’s edition of popular panel show Would I Lie To You?, hosted by Rob Brydon and with team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack.
Musical performances from Craig David – the artist behind this year’s official Children In Need charity single – Little Mix and the West End cast of the Disney Aladdin musical are also on the evening’s line-up.
The live appeal show will be hosted by Tess Daly, Graham Norton, Greg James, Ade Adepitan and Rochelle and Marvin Humes.
Sir Terry Wogan presented the annual showcase for more than three decades until he fell ill last year. He died in January.
Children In Need aims to protect every child in the UK and currently supports 2,400 projects across the nation.
Since its creation in 1980, the charity has raised more than £600 million.
This year’s live telethon effort will attempt to raise enough money to beat last year’s record-breaking total of just over £37 million donated during the broadcast.
The Children In Need Appeal Night will air tonight from 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC Two.
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