BBC’s Children In Need returns to screens this Friday night at 7pm, with the UK’s most beloved presenters back at the helm.
Paddy McGuinness is taking part in fronting the three-hour charity appeal this year alongside Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay Lenny Rush and Big Zuu.
For more than four decades, the biggest stars in showbiz have gathered to raise money for disadvantaged children and young people.
Over the years the much-loved show has created some of the most iconic moments and hilarious skits in order to raise funds – with superstar Taylor Swift even making an appearance.
In particular, Louie Spence’s Meet The BBC Newsreaders segment has gone down in history after the dancer twerked in a newsroom in 2010.
Joanna Lumley – one of Children In Need’s first ever presenters – is also famed for her sultry striptease live on the programme in 1983.
Daily Mail lists all the memorable moments ahead of the much-loved show’s return this week.
Paddy McGuinness is taking part in fronting Children In Need this year alongside Mel Giedroyc, Lenny Rush, Big Zuu, Rochelle Humes and Vernon Kay on Friday night (pictured L-R)
The much-loved show has created some of the most iconic moments and hilarious skits in order to raise funds – with superstar Taylor Swift even making an appearance in 2009
Taylor Swift’s performance
Aged just 19, Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance on the BBC programme to sing live and raise money for the cause.
The young-looking pop star, now 35, donated an incredible £13,000 before singing Love Story to the audience.
She said: ‘I’m so happy to be here, I would love to make a donation tonight to Children In Need. My lucky number is thirteen so I would like to donate £13,000.’
Sir Terry Wogan and Tess Daly appeared nervous as they introduced the mega star to the stage.
Terry, who died in 2016, said: ‘Coming up now… we’re not normally this bad. Coming up now, the biggest selling music artist in the world this year, unbelievable.
‘She’s come all the way from the USA to sing her smash hit Love Story, welcome Taylor Swift!’
Joanna Lumley’s striptease
Joanna Lumley – one of Children In Need’s first ever presenters – is famed for her sultry striptease live on the programme in 1983
The lingerie-clad actress, 79, was seen striping off her black lace suspenders and stockings on the show in 1983.
As the late presenter Terry looked on, Joanna slipped off her dress on the BBC studio floor to reveal her lingerie.
The moment saw phonelines go through the roof after her sexy skit, raising a whooping £1.1million.
Louie Spence’s twerk
Louie Spence’s Meet The BBC Newsreaders segment has gone down in history after the dancer twerked in a newsroom in 2010
The dancer and choreographer started crawling across the desk to cheer up the news bulletin.
He got all BBC newsreaders to perform a dance to Lady Gaga songs as part of the 2010 BBC Children In Need Appeal Night.
They performed a melody of hits including Poker Face, Paparazzi and Just Dance.
The Spice Girls
Victoria Beckham, Mel C, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Mel B revived two of their classics on Children In Need back in 2007
Victoria Beckham, Mel C, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Mel B revived two of their classics on Children In Need back in 2007.
The famous five was said to have donated all of the group’s profits from their singles, Headlines (Friendship Never Ends) and Stop.
That same year, the show also featured special performances from McFly, Westlife and Sugababes.
Katie Price and Peter Andre
In 2006, the former couple looked radiant in all white as they graced the stage to sing A Whole New World for Children In Need
In 2006, the former couple looked radiant in all white as they graced the stage to sing A Whole New World for Children In Need.
Katie famously covered the track with her ex-husband Peter in December 2006 for his fifth studio album.
That year, the broadcast had a huge 7.7million viewers tune in and raised a total of £18million.
Team GB’s dance off
An array of sporty famous faces got together to perform a Team GB Dance Off on Children In Need in in 2012 (Tom Daley pictured)
The memorable moment saw Tom Daley in his trunks and British royal Zara Tindall (right) doing a Gangham Style
An array of sporty famous faces got together to perform a Team GB Dance Off on Children In Need in in 2012.
The memorable moment saw Tom Daley in his trunks and British royal Zara Tindall doing a Gangham Style.
The segment was part of the annual appeal show and highlighted the stars of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
EastEnders’ Grease skit
Famously, viewers were transported to Rydell High School in 2014, as the EastEnders cast performed a Grease medley
EastEnders have performed in Children In Need most years, often with a special sketch or performance as part of the annual appeal show.
Famously, viewers were transported to Rydell High School in 2014, as the EastEnders cast performed a Grease medley.
Shane Ritchie took on the role of Kennicky and began the live sing song with Greased Lightening before Jessie Wallace became Rizzo and performed There Are Worse Things I Could Do.
Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright were Danny and Sandy with an electrifying performance of You’re The One That I want before the whole cast ended the medley with We Go Together in a big dance just like the classic musical.
Speaking to Tess after the performance, Shane said: ‘Each year it gets tougher to top the [previous] year, already we’re talking about what we’re going to do next year.’
Diversity’s performance
More recently, Diversity blew fans away with a show-stopping performance for Children In Need 2022
More recently, Diversity blew fans away with a show-stopping performance for Children In Need 2022.
Frontman Ashley Banjo began with a special Children In Need rap, before the group broke into dance to a remix of Panic! At The Disco’s song High Hopes.
The star rapped: ‘We can all dream of a world without war, without poverty, without greed. And I’m not here to preach, no I’m just planting the seed. All around us right now, there are children in need.
During the performance, a voiceover announced: ‘Introducing the star of the show, Pudsey the bear,’ as they incorporated the teddy bear into the performance – with confetti falling above their heads.
Chatting after the dance, Ashley shared: ‘It means a lot to be here, it means the world. We love what we do and when we get to combine it with a great cause, it’s a winning combo.’
Many viewers took to Twitter following the show to share their enjoyment of the dance performance, with one fan dubbing the dance group ‘jewels of the nation’.
The telethon ended with hosts Mel Giedroyc and Jason Manford revealing that a whopping £35, 273,167 had been raised, which will go towards improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people around the UK.
