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Children in Need 2014 line-up: What to expect from the BBC charity bonanza from S Club 7 to EastEnders and Doctor Who

Expect a new Tom and Jerry episode and One Direction performing live

Jess Denham
Friday 14 November 2014 16:01 GMT
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The hosts of this year's BBC Children in Need
The hosts of this year's BBC Children in Need (BBC)

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Pudsey Bear will be back in our living rooms tonight as Children in Need returns to BBC One for another charity fundraising bonanza.

The fun-filled event will be broadcast live from EastEnders' iconic Albert Square, with a host of big names joining the line-up.

Sir Terry Wogan, Tess Daly, Nick Grimshaw, Fearne Cotton and The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes will be presenting, with all money going to help disadvantaged children across the country. More than £740 million has been raised since the first show in 1980.

But what do viewers have to look forward to and keep them watching from 7pm through to 2am? Take a look through the confirmed schedule and make sure you don't miss a thing:

7pm The One Show's Rickshaw Challenge culminates live after following five young people, each supported by Children in Need funded projects, on their journey across the country.

7.30pm The cast of West End musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory perform.

There will be an exclusive sneak peek of the Doctor Who Christmas special starring Peter Capaldi and Nick Frost. A trailer last week showed the Doctor arriving at the North Pole and meeting Santa Claus - all very Christmassy.

Expect a musical performance from the EastEnders cast in this time slot too.

Nick Frost plays Santa Claus in the Doctor Who Christmas special
Nick Frost plays Santa Claus in the Doctor Who Christmas special (BBC)

8pm The Children's Choir featuring 2,000 children from across the country perform.

Sir Bruce Forsyth is bringing his dancing shoes out of retirement to host a sparkling Strictly special. Four young ballroom champions will take to the dance floor alongside professional dancers in a bid to lift the Pudsey glitterball trophy.

 

8.30pm Boyband One Direction perform live from Albert Square.

Then, EastEnders character Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) will have a memorable Children in Need when he is visited by ghosts from the soap's past including Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement) in a special sketch.

Pam St Clement, Gillian Taylforth, Hetti Bywater, Adam Woodyatt and Michelle Collins who are returning to EastEnders for BBC Children in Need 2014.
Pam St Clement, Gillian Taylforth, Hetti Bywater, Adam Woodyatt and Michelle Collins who are returning to EastEnders for BBC Children in Need 2014. (BBC)

9pm Cheryl Fernandez-Versini performs before Gareth Malone presents his All-Star Choir (ft. Strictly judge Craig Revel-Horwood, comedien Jo Brand, footballer Fabrice Muamba, Bake Off host Mel Fiedroyc and more) to sing the official Children in Need single "Wake Me Up".

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9.30pm Legendary cartoon characters Tom and Jerry will join the BBC's best loved faces and shows for an exclusive new episode made especially for Children in Need. Expect appearances from Lord Alan Sugar, Sir David Attenborough and the Strictly judges.

Next, Susan Boyle will perform.

A special BBC show-themed Tom and Jerry cartoon will air tonight
A special BBC show-themed Tom and Jerry cartoon will air tonight (BBC)

10pm Switch over to BBC Two at this point unless you want to watch the news.

The Script performs in the Queen Vic and there will be more musical performances from One Direction and Boyzone.

10.40pm Back to BBC One.

Great excitement for Nineties kids next - it's the S Club 7 reunion! Yes, all seven members are coming together for the first time since 2003 for a medley of their greatest hits.

Elsewhere there will be a first look at the Call the Midwife Christmas special and Cirque du Soletil becomes Cirque de Albert Square.

11pm Gemma Arterton and the cast of West End musical Made in Dagenham perform.

12am Ronan Keating and the cast of hit musical Once perform.

12.30- 2am Boyzone and S Club 7 team up for a mash-up, before the cast of The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon perform and the final fundraising total is revealed.

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