Children in Need 2019: 7 things you need to know, from the presenters to special guests

Children in Need is back for its 39th year, bringing a whole new host of celebrities together to help raise money for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

The 2018 programme raised a record-breaking £50,168,562, meaning Children in Need has brought in over £1bn since it began the annual fundraiser in 1980.

This year's programme will air on BBC1 from 7pm on Friday 15 November, broadcast live from Elstree studios.

From the presenting line-up and the Strictly special – to a surprise from the England football team and a range of musical performances – here’s what you need to know about the 2019 show.

The presenters

Graham Norton, Mel Giedroyc, Ade Adepitan, Tess Daly, Tom Allen and Marvin and Rochelle Humes are hosting this year’s live show.

Graham Norton’s Red Chair takeover

The presenter’s famous red chair – in which audience members at his chat show usually sit and tell funny stories – will be taken over by a host of young carers who have the power to flip the celebrities whose jokes fail to amuse.

Musical performances

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, Westlife and former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson will be providing live music on the night.

The England football team

Footballers including Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling are set to surprise children from the England Amputee Football Association.

Mock the Week special

A host of top comedians are getting together for a late night Mock the Week sketch, a BBC Children In Need-spin on one of their “Scenes We’d Like To See” round.

Strictly special

Opening the show will be a performance from the cast of Big the Musical, featuring Strictly Come Dancing winner Jay McGuiness. The Strictly special will see EastEnders stars Rudolph Walker, Ricky Champ, Louisa Lytton and Maisie Smith compete to lift the Pudsey Glitterball trophy.

Rylan Clark-Neal’s Karaoke challenge

Rylan Clark-Neal raised more than £1m this week by singing non-stop karaoke for 24 hours. The presenter sang 231 songs, assisted by more than 90 celebrity guests, including Rick Astley, Nicole Scherzinger and Craig David. We can expect to see clips of this challenge during the live show.

Children in Need will begin at 7.30pm on BBC1 on Friday 15 November.