This year’s BBC Children in Need is to feature an exclusive preview of the forthcoming Doctor Who Christmas Special.

The clip, from The End Of Time: Part One, is never-seen-before footage and will keep fans all over the globe wondering what’s in store for the Doctor as David Tennant departs and Matt Smith becomes the 11th Doctor.

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I’ve always liked Calum Best. He’s always struck me as a young man who fully realises that were it not for his celebrity dad, he’d be – most likely – just an ordinary bod. But I’ve always alternately felt sorry for him because of that fact and because it was almost an inevitability that we’d all be waiting with baited breath for him to follow in dad’s footsteps and fall off many a barstool.

And if he hadn’t, he would probably have faded into obscurity, but with the media waiting, cameras poised for those like-father-like-son moments, it’s often felt as if he had no choice but to become a serious boozer.

In making this film however, Calum demonstrated that he’s not about to turn into a raging alcoholic just to slake our thirst for a George Best clone and enable us to use clichés about apples not falling far from trees. Read more & comment »

Every year, BBC Children in Need creates magic moments that raise huge amounts of money for disadvantaged children but this year’s appeal week will kick off with something a little different for BBC One audiences to enjoy.

Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One, revealed today at this year’s autumn season launch that BBC Children in Need will stage a spectacular concert at the Royal Albert Hall put together by Gary Barlow, featuring Take That and a host of rock and pop’s finest to launch the 2009 appeal week.

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Children In Need bosses have decided to cut back on their appeal for cash this year as they think that people are under enough financial pressure during the current ‘credit crunch’.

As well as appealing for money as usual, Children In Nedd, which will air on BBC One this November, will also appeal for people to give their time to charity as well.

An insider told The Sun: “There have been very senior discussions about this as execs are worried. The appeal will come smack bang in the middle of the worst financial crisis for years.

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They’ve done it again! The British public have beaten all previous records, raising a staggering £19,089,771 for
BBC Children in Need…

On the BBC One appeal show, performances from The Spice Girls, Kylie, Boyzone, Sugababes, Annie Lennox, Leona Lewis, John Barrowman, Denise Van Outen, the casts of EastEnders, Hollyoaks, Holby City, The Bill, Doctor Who, and many more, inspired the public to support BBC Children in Need and top last year’s total of £18.3m.

And there is still more to come as the money continues to pour in from the thousands of fundraising events already held, or scheduled to happen, right across the UK. Read more & comment »

I just love Children In Need. I have so many fond memories of the days before digital and satellite TV, when our whole family would have gathered around the TV for Children In Need night each year.

We were often subjected to the most awful stunts and skits from local, Northern Ireland BBC presenters, but it was always worth it when they finally went “back to London!”

Tonights extravaganza looks like it will be ones of the biggest and best yet. There’ll be one-off mini-episodes of Doctor Who, a kids’ version of Dragons’ Den, a special episode of Hotel Babylon, an EastEnders musical extravaganza, a Never Mind The Buzzcocks special (Radio 1 take on Radio 2), plus guest performances from Sugababes, McFly, Westlife, Kylie and Joseph star Lee Mead.

The only thing I am dreading is the Spice Girls rearing their heads once again. Their album isn’t selling, no one is playing their single, wouldn’t they just take the hint and go back to America!

After last year’s furore at the quite hefty fee paid to veteran presenter, Terry Wogan, for hosting BBC’s Children In Need, the star has decided to waive his fee this year.

I find it hard to commend Mr Wogan for this. He has made a fortune from the charity event over the years, and it’s not like he needs the money anyway!