New Children in Need presenter Mel Giedroyc reveals why she’s excited to host the 2017 fundraiser
Last year Children in Need raised a record-breaking £60 million to help disadvantaged children in the UK. This year former Great British Bake Off star Mel Giedroyc joins the presenting team, which includes Graham Norton, Ade Adepitan and Rochelle Humes. With an action-packed line-up of TV specials and star-studded sketches Mel hopes donations roll in, and that she can help keep the charity spirit alive for an entire evening…
Here Mel reveals how it feels to team up with Children in Need and the charity’s iconic mascot Pudsey the Bear
“The British public are so generous and it’s really moving. Fundraising is something we do tremendously well – people delve so deeply into their pockets,” says Mel, who’s no stranger to providing Children in Need entertainment. “Three years ago I did The Choir with Gareth Malone. A year ago Sue Perkins and I did a Star Wars sketch, which was one of the most exciting days of our lives! Then last year we did a comedy telephonist sketch with Eddie Redmayne. I feel very warmly and joyfully towards BBC Children in Need. It’s a charity that I have watched on the night for as long as I can remember.”
So is the former Great British Bake Off presenter nervous about doing a night of live TV?
“Bizarrely I don’t get nervous doing live telly. I get excited, and there’s also a buzz. I don’t know if it’s a good or a bad thing but I go into a bit of a trance!” laughs Mel, who adds that every penny counts. “Any donation does make a difference. Getting involved is what makes BBC Children in Need so moving.”
Children in Need’s live telethon is on BBC1, 17 November, from 7.30pm until 10pm
