Children in Need: 4 biggest talking points from the live show as new Doctor Who companion announced on air
Fans can also expect to see a sweary skit from Lorraine Kelly and a musical performance from Lewis Capaldi
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Your support makes all the difference.Children in Need returned to BBC One on Friday (18 November) for another night full of entertainment to raise money for young people across the country.
During the show, Ncuti Gatwa’s new companion on Doctor Who was revealed.
Fans also enjoyed an appearance from England men’s team footballer Mason Mount and a performance from singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi.
Other highlights include Romesh Ranganathan hosting a special version of the iconic quiz game show The Weakest Link, with a twist, and a group of celebrities took on Graham Norton’s infamous Red Chair.
Read below for X of the biggest talking points from the night.
Doctor Who’s new companion was announced
In the build-up to the show, it was announced that Doctor Who’s next assistant would be unveiled during the broadcast.
Saving the big reveal till late on, host Mel Giedroyc conjured up a tardis using the Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver and asked the new companion to step outside.
Out stepped 18-year-old Coronation Street star Millie Gibson. Gibson disclosed that her character’s name was Ruby Sunday and said she hoped to “make you all happy”.
The young actor will join the series alongside Ncuti Gatwa, who will succeed returning star David Tennant as the Time Lord.
The Repair Shop revived a very special chair
Jay Blades and Will Kirk made an appearance for a special edition of The Repair Shop. This time, they were tasked with restoring a large wooden chair brought to them by the parents of a child who died after suffering with encephalitis.
The chair featured monkey motifs, as the parents described their boy as a “cheeky monkey” but it had all gotten a bit weathered and cracked by the elements.
Kirk unveiled the new, improved chair live with the family on Children in Need and sufficed to say things got a bit emotional.
13-year-old Lenny Rush was outstanding in his role as the celebrity call centre boss during the show. Rush rose to fame after starring as Tiny Tim in the BBC’s 2019 rendition of A Christmas Carol starring Guy Pierce.
Rush, who lives with a rare genetic disorder Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia congenita, demonstrated comedic timing far beyond his years and was fearless in interacting with the celebrities. Twitter was awash with praise for the young star.
“Lenny Rush is the hero of 2022 #ChildrenInNeed2022,” one fan tweeted.
“The highlight of @BBC Children In Need this year has to be Lenny Rush! What an absolute star!” Wrote another.
Scott Mills was made to walk on a treadmill... after walking on a treadmill for 24 hours straight
As he arrived to talk to Giedroyc, the poor man was faced with another treadmill! He looked genuinely crestfallen as the host explained that they would walk and talk.
However, Mills was genuinely (and somewhat obviously) unable to do so. Who’s idea was that?
Read below to see how Children in Need unfolded.
It’s coming home!
Here’s the national team’s golden boy Mason Mount meeting some primary school kids in person. Their reactions: priceless.
Joe Wicks raises £564,000
The Body Coach has walked 30 miles in one go to raise money for Children in Need. For each lap of his route in Manchester, Wicks had to complete a special challenge including taking to the catwalk in drag.
Those heels can’t have done his blisters any good...
Here’s the UK’s 13-year-old Junior Eurovision act, Freya Skye delivering some huge vocals.
‘The Repair Shop’ crew pulls out the stops
Jay Blades and Will Kirk got to work on a chair made for a young boy named Etienne who suffered from encephalitis. The chair, featuring a monkey motif, had gotten a bit weathered and cracked in the sun and rain.
Will pulls off the gold blanket to reveal a beautifully repaired and polished chair complete with some touching, personal additions.
That was Diversity! Nothing makes me feel old like seeing how grown-up Perri Kiely is these days.
One can’t help but feel this Doctor Who announcement is going to be kept right to the last. Understandably so but... TELL US!!!
And Doctor Who’s newest companion is...
Coronation Street star Millie Gibson! Don’t think anyone had that on their bingo cards? Gibson says she auditioned for the role and hopes to “make you all happy”.
Gibson will play Ruby Sunday, companion to Ncuti Gatwa’s iteration of the Doctor.
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