About this season
BBC Children in Need is the BBC's UK charity. Since 1980 it has raised over £600 million to change the lives of disabled children and young people in the UK. One of the highlights is an annual telethon, held in November and televised on BBC One and BBC One HD from 7:30pm until 2am. "Pudsey Bear" is BBC Children in Need's mascot, whilst Terry Wogan is a long-standing host. BBC Children in Need is one of three high-profile British telethons, although the only charity belonging to the BBC, the other telethons being Red Nose Day and Sport Relief, both supporting the Comic Relief charity. The 2012 appeal took place on Friday 16 November.
Episodes (8)
1. Live Telethon 2021
Aired 19 November 2021 • 180 min
BBC Children in Need live telethon to entertain the nation while raising money for children and young people across the UK. Expect exclusive sketches and live music.
2. The Great Rickshaw Relay Challenge
Aired 10 November 2021 • 60 min
The Rickshaw Challenge for BBC Children in Need is back with an exciting new twist for 2021 in this one-off special. As the challenge enters its 11th year, Matt Baker and a team of five young people, all of whom have been supported by projects funded by BBC Children in Need, take on a relay-style ride through their hometowns and other places across the UK that hold a particular significance for them. The programme also celebrates the history of this much-loved BBC Children in Need staple, while at the same time raising life-changing money for the charity as part of its 2021 Appeal.
3. Dr Alex: Our Mental Health Crisis
Aired 14 November 2021 • 60 min
Dr Alex George follows the journeys of young people across the UK who are living with mental health issues. He explores the wide range of difficulties they face and finds out how local charities, including projects funded by Children in Need, are making a difference. As an A&E doctor and the UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador, Alex has seen at first hand the effects of the pandemic on young people's mental wellbeing, but he never thought they would affect his own family. But in July 2020, Alex's 19-year-old brother Llyr, who had been struggling with anxiety during lockdown, took his own life. This poignant film is his response.
4. University Challenge
Aired 19 November 2021 • 60 min
5. The Best Bits
Aired 21 November 2021 • 60 min
6. Live Show - Scotland
Aired 19 November 2021 • 60 min
Jackie Bird presents her 21st appeal show live from BBC Scotland’s headquarters in Glasgow. She is joined by a host of famous faces to help raise money to support young people across the country. There is comedy from Scot Squad’s favourite traffic cops McKirdy and Singh, Judy Murray attempts to find her 'other' son Duncan’s special skill, and Des Clarke invites some special guest comedians to help him out with a special Children in Need version of Breaking the News, plus music from former postman Nathan 'Wellerman' Evans and acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald.
7. Northern Ireland's Best Bits
Aired 21 November 2021 • 60 min
Connor Phillips and Holly Hamilton join Pudsey for highlights from this year’s Children in Need, meeting the fundraisers and local organisations that benefit from your donations.
8. The Big Welsh Round-Up
Aired 21 November 2021 • 60 min
Comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean returns to present BBC Children in Need 2021: The Big Welsh Round-Up. Kiri finds out how people across the nation have been raising money for this year's appeal and how the money donated has benefited projects and young people in Wales. There is live music, a host of celebrity messages and a very special virtual choir, featuring children from north and south Wales singing this year's Children in Need song.