Children In Need 2022 raised more than £35 million in its annual fundraising show last night (Friday, November 18). Hosts Mel Giedroyc and Jason Manford revealed £35,273,167 had been pledged when the BBC appeal, which is in its 42nd year, ended.
Comedian Manford, who presented the show for the first time, said it was “astounding” and thanked the public for their donations to “the millions” of children who face a “tough winter ahead”. The pledges are slightly down from last year's £39million.
Ade Adepitan, Chris Ramsey and Alex Scott also helped host the show, and there were appearances from famous faces including Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder, Joe Wicks, Lorraine Kelly and Romesh Ranganathan. During the show, Millie Gibson was announced as Doctor Who’s latest companion.
The 18-year-old Coronation Street actress said it was a “gift of a role, and a dream come true” and she would try to fill the boots of the 14 other companions to the Doctor. She will star opposite Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa, who takes over as the Doctor in 2023.
Exercise guru Wicks completed his Children In Need ultra marathon, which raised more than £500,000 for the BBC charity. And England footballer Mason Mount surprised schoolchildren who had raised money for charity during their tour around Wembley Stadium, along with Children In Need mascot Pudsey Bear.
TV presenter Bradley Walsh hosted a children’s takeover of Blankety Blank, with contestants including EastEnders actress Maisie Smith and The Great British Bake Off star John Whaite.
And the rickshaw relay rode again as Matt Baker and a team of five young people took on the challenge over five days. The former Blue Peter and Countryfile star has raised £43 million for BBC Children In Need in 12 years through the cycling relay. This time he raised £1,259,802.
Ranganathan, who replaced Anne Robinson as the host of The Weakest Link, ran a special edition with soap stars. Coronation Street’s Antony Cotton beat EastEnders’ Max Bowden, Hollyoaks’ Kirsty-Leigh Porter and Emmerdale’s Chris Bisson.
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