'Children In Need' 2022: All the biggest moments to look out for

Children In Need is back for another night of fundraising with Pudsey Bear and co, and as ever, the BBC has laid on a top night of entertainment to tempt you to donate.

This year's hosts are Jason Manford, Mel Giedroyc, Alex Scott, Ade Adepitan and Chris Ramsey who will welcome a live audience back to the studio post-pandemic.

Of course, the team know that this year is a difficult one for many people to find spare cash to donate, with Manford acknowledging: "This is going be a difficult year for lots of people, we know that it's going to be a tough one.

"BBC Children in Need is fundamentally an entertainment show, a few hours where you can watch some great charities and great appeals that have been helped by BBC Children in Need over the years."

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But whether you can afford to give money or not, there's plenty to tune in for on Friday evening, as regular host Giedroyc explained.

She said: "The core of the night is always those incredible appeal films. They are the absolute reason that we’re all there in the studio and viewers are watching at home.

"But it’s fantastic to add positivity, joy and hope into the mix too. Live music of course, sketches, and of course some surprises too. And the slight feeling, because it’s live, that anything could happen at any time. It’s magical. And it’s AMAZING to have tons of kids in the audience. I love that so much."

When is Children In Need 2022 on TV?

Shows related to the campaign have been airing for a few weeks, including Matt Baker's annual Rickshaw Relay on Tuesday at 8pm, but the main fundraiser programme airs on Friday, 18 November.

It begins at 7pm on BBC One and continues through to 10pm.

What are the Children In Need highlights for 2022?

BBC show specials

Look out for special family-friendly versions of many of the BBC's big entertainment shows during the evening.

Bradley Walsh hosts Blankety Blank with Maisie Smith and John Whaite as contestants, Graham Norton lets children take over his Red Chair as celebrities take their chances, and Romesh Ranganathan presents The Weakest Link.

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There's also a very special restoration for The Repair Shop, who will unveil the results live in the studio.

New Doctor Who companion announcement

The new Doctor Who companion will be revealed live on BBC Children In Need.

In May this year it was announced that Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa takes over as the Doctor in 2023.

The 15th Doctor’s companion will travel alongside him as they embark on a new set of adventures.

Junior Eurovision

Get set for a TV first as BBC One and CBBC simulcast the Junior Eurovision Song Contest live from Armenia on 11 December.

In the meantime, the UK's young performer will introduce us to their song as they sing it live for the first time during Children In Need.

Star performers

Big name stars will chip in to help the fundraiser on the night by performing on the show.

Expect to see Lewis Capaldi and Diversity on stage, amongst many other performers including the BBC Children In Need Choir singing Keane's 'Somewhere Only We Know'.

Charity highlights

Of course, the main parts of the show are the appeal films, which the rest of the evening is built around.

Children from around the UK speak in emotional and inspiring videos about the work the charity does and how it has helped them.

Viewers will also get to see The Sir Terry Wogan Fundraiser of the Year Awards which thank people making a huge difference to children's lives in the UK.

This year, there's something new as two different awards will be given, one for young fundraisers and one for adult fundraisers, both presented by Michael Ball.

Children In Need airs on Friday from 7pm on BBC One.