Live on BBC One from 7pm on Friday, the charity’s 40th Anniversary Appeal show marked the crescendo of this year’s fundraising activities for BBC Children in Need with a special night of family entertainment to help raise money for children and young people facing disadvantage in communities across the UK, at a time when it is needed most.

Presented by Chris Ramsey and Alex Scott MBE, who kicked off proceedings ahead of Mel Giedroyc and Stephen Mangan, the three hour extravaganza featured an incredible array of famous faces who offered some light relief and entertainment whilst shining a light on the issues affecting children and young people across the UK facing disadvantage.

The show was opened with a spectacular performance from Kidz Bop, who performed an energetic medley of songs to kick-off the show. Viewers were then treated to a special sketch which saw the world’s biggest girl group meet CBBC’s Dick and Dom, who brought back the Bafta award-winning Diddy TV for one night only in a special sketch that saw the duo interview Little Mix.

Later in the show, the nation’s favourite PE teacher and bona fide fitness king, Joe Wicks MBE, was welcomed to the stage following his epic 24 hour non-stop Radio 2 PE challenge, and was told that his incredible feat had raised a spectacular £2,108,229, which contributed to Radio 2’s amazing fundraising total of £2,248,479. Across his 24 hour challenge Joe burned over 10,000 calories and was joined via Zoom by surprise guests to spur him on, including James Bay, Mel C, Frank Lampard, Tim Peake, Sam Smith, Louis Theroux, Claudia Winkleman and many others.

Joe was also given a special surprise live on stage, when he was awarded a Gold Blue Peter badge, the show’s highest accolade, in recognition of his work inspiring children to get fit. Blue Peter presenter Lindsey Russell presented Joe the award after completing a BBC Children in Need challenge of her own, which saw her ‘Act Her Age’ and award 30 Blue Peter badges to very deserving recipients, the 30th being Joe.

Joe was nominated for a Gold badge by Blue Peter viewer Nelly, aged 10, who wrote to the show. Nelly wrote: “I think Joe Wicks deserves a Blue Peter Gold badge” because he "helped everyone around the world to keep fit in lockdown. Not only does it keep our body healthy but helps our mental health too. He has been especially amazing because he broke his hand and had to go to hospital, but still he didn’t miss a single day.”

Elsewhere in the show, viewers were treated to a heart-warming The Repair Shop special, which saw Jay Blades and Teddy Bear Ladies, Amanda and Julie, carry out a unique restoration for Olivia, and who really deserved an extra special treat.

The show also saw the finale of The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge. Following the decision to end the Rickshaw Challenge event at Goodwood, Matt Baker and the team completed their epic challenge from home, and conquered an incredible 830 miles collectively. Matt cycled the entire distance on a static rickshaw in his garden, and the team of young people who have been supported by BBC Children in Need funded projects rode static bikes in their own homes! The total raised for this year’s challenge came in at a whopping £4,750,819, meaning that over the past 10 years, Matt Baker and his teams of riders have raised a truly remarkable £40 million.

Another standout moment from the show saw sport superstars Peter Crouch and Sir Andy Murray take part in a sporting match-up like no other for BBC Children in Need. In the ultimate grudge match between two British sporting icons, Sir Andy Murray took on Peter Crouch in a match of… padel tennis! The tongue-in-cheek sketch saw the duo’s rivalry come to a head in a game Andy and Peter won’t ever forget.

Later in the evening, viewers were treated to the world premiere of the video for BBC Children in Need’s 2020 official single - Stop Crying Your Heart Out (BBC Radio 2 Allstars), featuring world-renowned artists Bryan Adams, Izzy Bizu, Cher, Clean Bandit, Mel C, Jamie Cullum, Ella Eyre, Paloma Faith, Rebecca Ferguson, Jess Glynne, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Lenny Kravitz, KSI, Lauv, Ava Max, Kylie Minogue, James Morrison, Gregory Porter, Nile Rodgers, Jack Savoretti, Jay Sean, Anoushka Shankar, Robbie Williams and Yola. Curated by BBC Radio 2’s Head of Music, Jeff Smith, it was recorded and filmed by the artists in locations across the world, and produced by Grammy award winning producers, Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling.

To celebrate the special single, Noel Gallagher, who wrote Stop Crying Your Heart Out, donated his very own presentation disc which was awarded to him for the track, to be auctioned in aid of BBC Children in Need. Noel Gallagher says: “It’s a great honour to have Stop Crying Your Heart Out chosen as this year’s Children in Need anthem. Children in Need is a fantastic charity, which in these increasingly desperate times is now more important than ever.”

The musical treats didn’t end there, the show also saw an abundance of singing from the best of the West End, with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Carrie Hope Fletcher performing a song from Cinderella The Musical, as well as a special performance from the cast of SIX! The sensational Beverley Knight also took to the stage for a spectacular performance and multi award-winning Shawn Mendes treated fans with a musical performance filmed especially for BBC Children in Need.

A standout sketch from the evening, saw the who’s who from the world of entertainment, music and drama share the truth about the iconic Pudsey Bear in a special Behind The Bandana sketch. With Mrs Brown, Basil Brush, Mel C, Tess Daly, Hacker T Dog, Sir Lenny Henry, KSI, Motsi Mabuse, Kylie Minogue, Graham Norton, Dolly Parton and David Walliams all sharing surprising and astounding contributions about the Nation’s favourite yellow Bear!

In a fitting tribute to the charity’s Life-President, the show also saw the presentation of the fifth Sir Terry Wogan Fundraiser of the Year Award. The accolade recognises the charity’s fundraisers, of whom Sir Terry was a huge champion, and this year the winner, long-term supporter Brian Pitt, was surprised live on air. Thirty years ago, Brian's son, Stuart, tragically died just one day before his 18th birthday. Whilst Stuart was in hospital, he placed a collection tin outside his door and told people they had to make a donation to BBC Children in Need before they could go in. After Stuart passed away, Brian decided to carry on fundraising in his son's memory and has raised an astonishing amount for BBC Children in Need over the years.

The 2020 Appeal show also offered viewers the chance to win a plethora of money can’t buy prizes while also helping children and young people across the UK who need it most right now. These prizes included a Toyota Proace Matino camper, a wealth of Gary Barlow’s personal memorabilia and a Doctor Who prize including a VIP tour of the Doctor Who set in Cardiff – just as soon as it’s safe to do so – as well as a personal video call from Doctor Who stars Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill and a host of exclusive Doctor Who merchandise. The prize draws can be entered via text message and are open until 2pm on 23rd November 2020. For more information visit bbcchildreninneed.co.uk.

Other highlights of the evening included:

Sam and Mark pulling out all of the stops to celebrate the remarkable fundraising efforts of schools up and down the UK who have gone above and beyond to make a difference this year

Danny Dyer presented a special EastEnders crossover with two of Walford’s finest taking on The Wall

Viewers were treated to a magnificent Strictly performance, which saw fans from across the UK join in a choreographed dance to Walk the Moon’s Shut Up And Dance

DIY SOS’ incredible fundraising total was announced, a whopping £1,093,082

A poignant moment on the show saw children and young people who have been supported by BBC Children in Need funded projects take on the iconic choir moment, singing a beautiful cover of Coldplay’s Fix You.

The cast of BBC One’s The Goes Wrong Show treated viewers to a sketch for BBC Children in need that reflected the Great British tradition of laughing in the face of adversity.
A brilliant comedy sketch from the one and only, King Gary, starring Laura Checkley, Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis.

Countryfile’s 2020 fundraising total was announced - a phenomenal £3,676,717
The real stars of the night however have been the children and young people who shared their stories and brought to life how money raised this evening will go on to make a difference to children and young people in urgent need of support across the UK.

Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive, BBC Children in Need, says: “Tonight has been a truly special evening, there have been many laughs, and many tears, but above all, there has been an abundance of kindness. We know that children and young people across the UK need our support now more than ever because sadly, the pandemic has made life even harder for those who were already vulnerable or at risk, but this remarkable total really will go on to help make a difference. Our incredible supporters have shown once again that together, we can change young lives, and that we will always be here for the children and young people across the UK that need us most. Thank you.”

Tonight’s total represents an exciting culmination of fundraising activity for BBC Children in Need - but this evening’s total will continue to rise as the money pours in from the thousands of fundraisers already held, or scheduled to happen, across the UK. And it's not too late to get involved! Get fundraising or donate at bbcchildreninneed.co.uk

The BBC Children in Need Appeal Show is a BBC Studios production, executive produced by Peter Davey and Colin Hopkins. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Rachel Ashdown.