This year, Children in Need finds its rhythm with an album of cover songs by some of the UK’s most beloved stars
Each year, Children in Need delights UK audiences and unites fundraisers across the country with a show featuring some of the brightest stars in sport, music, television and film.
Since 1980, the BBC’s Children in Need charity has been raising money for disadvantaged children, and has become known for its celebrity-filled annual telethon and iconic mascot, Pudsey Bear.
Children in Needs’ roots go way back to 1927, when the BBC made it’s first charity appeal via a five-minute radio broadcast.
The first televised appeal, called the Children’s Hour, took place in 1955 and was hosted by Harry Corbett and Sooty Bear the yellow glove puppet.
After years of similar appeals, the first Children in Need broadcast took place in 1980 with Terry Wogan as its host. Donations surged thanks to this new format, raising over £1 million on its first attempt.
Terry Wogan became the face of the charity, hosting its televised appeal every year until 2014. After his death in 2016, Children in Need created the Sir Terry Wogan Fundraiser of the Year award to honour his memory.
Last year, it raised £50.5 million and the total across its 40-year history is thought to have topped £1 billion.
This year, in addition to the usual glamorous, goofy show, Children in Need has released the album Got it Covered.
The album features a host of stars singing songs that made a big impact on them, from Stevie Wonder’s ‘I Wish’ to Taylor Swift’s ‘Never Grow Up’.
Here’s everything you need to know:
What are the songs on Got It Covered?
Oscar-winner and The Crown star Olivia Coleman takes on Portishead’s 1995 single Glorybox while two-time Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter delivers a version of Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now.
The Doctor herself, Jodie Whittaker, sings Coldplay’s Yellow, while her fellow Timelord David Tennant honours his Scottish heritage with a rendition of The Proclaimers’ Sunshine on Leith.
Veteran of the UK stage and screen, Jim Broadbent, tries his hand at Rogers and Hart’s Blue Moon.
Meanwhile, relative newcomer and Yesterday star Himesh Patel leaves the Beatles behind to take on modern pop-rock icons The Killers’ All These Things That I’ve Done.
Got It Covered alsos feature Suranne Jones, Adrien Lester, Luke Evans and Shaun Dooley, as well as a group cover of It Must Be Love by Labi Siffre.
Is the album out?
Got It Covered was released on 1 November, with at least £1.50 from each sale going to charity. You can order it here.
The annual Children in Need show then follows two weeks later on BBC One and BBC Two on Friday 15 November.
How can I get involved?
This year, Children in Need is all about people coming together.
“When people, passions and post codes unite, great things happen,” says the fundraisers website. “We’ve got everything you need to get started… it’s never been easier to turn your fundraising into life changing support.”
To get your hands on a free postal kit that includes tonnes of inspiration, tips and goodies to help you on your way, head to bbcchildreninneed.co.uk.
There you’ll also find an essentials kit containing a guide, sponsorship form and everything you need to promote your fundraising event.
