Children in Need: 8 talking points, from Andy Murray vs Peter Crouch to Cher singing Oasis
Charity event celebrated its 40th birthday this year
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Your support makes all the difference.Children in Need invited a star-studded cast to its 40th anniversary celebrations, from Dolly Parton and Cher to Andy Murray and Peter Crouch.
This year's event took place with safety restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic, with a number of performances taking place virtually.
Here are eight of the biggest talking points from the three-hour special…
Shawn Mendes performed his new single, “Wonder”
It seems a lifetime ago that we tuned in to watch Lady Gaga’s One World Together at Home event. While it was undoubtedly a moving and well-intended event, an obvious downside to these at-home shows is the fact that artists have to get creative with their performances. Some went above and beyond to entertain viewers, while others were content to strum an acoustic guitar in front of a white wall. Mendes, thankfully, managed to get his band together (along with some great lighting) and make us feel like we were *almost in the venue with him, as he performed a song from his forthcoming album.
Six the Musical
A musical in which the wives of Henry VIII are a girl band? Sign us right up. Yep, the cast of Six stopped by to perform an energetic mash-up of “Ex Wives” and “Six” in a wonderful tribute to the power of British theatre.
Brian the fundraiser
When it’s live, it’s live – anything can happen. Unfortunately in this case that meant that a lovely segment with a star Children in Need fundraiser went slightly awry, but in the most adorable of ways. Brian, who has raised thousands of pounds for the charity, suffered from some technical issues (hosts Mel Giedroyc and Stephen Mangan couldn’t hear him), despite some help from home. Thankfully he did get his award, and was apparently chuffed to bits.
Jesy Nelson misses the show
While Little Mix made an appearance on Friday night’s show along with Dick and Dom, they were without Jesy Nelson, who is currently ill. It’s the third TV appearance she’s missed with the band in the last week, leading fans to share their concerns for her on Twitter. We’re sending our love.
The “Stop Crying Your Heart Out” video makes its debut
With a star-studded line-up including Cher, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and Lenny Kravitz, this year’s Children in Need single is a pretty special one. The video made its debut during Friday’s appeal show, with Twitter commentators comparing Cher’s feather-covered outfit to both Schitt’s Creek’s Moira Rose and CBBC’s Raven.
Andy Murray and Peter Crouch battle it out
One of the highlights of every Children in Need event is the sporting legends who, it turns out, have a great sense of humour. We already knew that about Murray and Crouch, obviously, but it was a treat to see them together as they faced off on the tennis court. Particularly with a teeny-bopper umpire who was supremely unbothered about their childish antics. Despite some appalling cheating from Crouch, it was Murray who triumphed in the end.
Carrie Hope Fletcher and Andrew Lloyd Webber perform “Bad Cinderella”
At a time when the theatre world has come to a standstill, it’s nice to know that good things are on the horizon. Carrie Hope Fletcher treated viewers to a performance of “Bad Cinderella” from Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s new musical Cinderella, which will be opening next year. Lloyd Webber also said that it’s his “crusade” to get live performance venues open again in time for panto season.
Pudsey inspired Dolly Parton
Yes, the legendary Dolly Parton appeared in this year’s Children in Need event to reveal how much the charity’s longtime mascot has inspired her. Did you know “Jolene” is Pudsey’s middle name? Us neither.
Right, so now we have Diddy TV with Dick and Dom, interviewing Little Mix in micro form. Sadly member Jesy Nelson is absent again, after being ill for The Search final and the MTV EMAs last weekend! Perrie, Leigh-Anne and Jade are in fine form, even if they have been shrunk.
Nile Rodgers and Paloma Faith are being interviewed about their role in a charity cover of “Stop Crying Your Heart Out” by Oasis.
“I feel like those kids are heroes,” Faith says. “They’re so inspiring.”
Oops. Faith got cut off because the hosts needed to get a word in edgeways from Rodgers. Bit awkward. Rodgers says he was “swept away” playing his part in the single from home. Apparently the neighbours started to gather around because they were curious about what he was getting up to.
We’re seeing some concerned Little Mix fans on Twitter who are keen to know if Jesy’s OK – we’ve contacted Little Mix’s representative to see if there’s any update. Last weekend’s comment was that she was ill and that’s why she had to miss the final of The Search, as well as the MTV EMAs, which Little Mix hosted.
Here’s all we know about Jesy (unfortunately not much). Hopefully she’s OK and we hear from her soon.
Little Mix appear without Jesy Nelson for third time in a week on Children in Need
Singer missed the final of Little Mix’s talent show and the MTV EMAs last weekend
Now we have The Repair Shop, which is tugging on the ol’ heartstrings already.
They’ve been brought in an old toy called Happy belonging to Olivia, a little girl who is now recovering from a tumour. Happy is 82 years old and was given to Olivia by her grandpa when she was in hospital.
“He protected Olivia at a time when she really needed it,” Olivia’s mum says. It looks like restoring Happy will be quite the challenge, but we’re sure the team will be able to do it.
The Children in Need choir are performing Coldplay’s “Fix You”, with a small socially distanced choir live in the studio while the rest perform at UK landmarks.
And it appears everyone at home is crying at this one, with one Twitter user writing: “Every year I cry at the children in need choir! Every year!!!!” You and me both…
And it’s Doctor Who, with Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill announcing a competition to win some incredible DW-themed prizes, including a tour of the studios in Cardiff. Very nice!
Happy has been given quite the makeover on The Repair Shop, with Olivia returning with her parents to get her newly restored toy back.
And what a transformation! The toy looks good as new, with Olivia’s mouth dropping open in shock. It’s clearly an emotional moment for everyone.
“Now I have him back looking over me, happy as ever, it means the world,” Olivia says, as her dad cries.
“Happy’s got a glow-up,” Alex Scott jokes.
Ooh, this is a very exciting one! It’s Andrew Lloyd Webber and Carrie Fletcher performing “Bad Cinderella” from his new Cinderella musical.
Fletcher has appeared in Les Misérables and Heathers and, fun fact, is the sister of McFly’s Tom Fletcher.
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