Children in Need is back for 2024 with a variety of ways to raise money for charity and this year’s presenting lineup has been announced.

Wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan MBE, former presenter of The Great British Bake Off Mel Giedroyc, comedian Chris Ramsey and actor Lenny Rush are returning as hosts for the evening programme.

Former The Saturdays member Rochelle Humes will make her first presenting appearance on the live show since 2019 and broadcaster Vernon Kay will take to the stage for the first time.

Children in Need presenters prepare for 2024 show

Vernon Kay, Rochelle Humes, Mel Giedroyc and more have shared their thoughts on preparing for Children in Need 2024 and why it’s so important.

Vernon Kay said only his wife Tess Daly knew he was taking on the presenter role: “I didn’t tell the kids or any of the family – only Tess (Daly, wife) knew I’d been offered the gig – so they all found out when we announced it on The One Show along with everyone else!”

The 50-year-old added: “They’re buzzing for me… BBC Children in Need has always been a big deal in our house – as you’ll know Tess presented it for years alongside Sir Terry (Wogan) – so it’s a really big deal for me to be a part of it.

“There’s the emotional element of being part of something that’s doing so much good, but also the practical – terrifying! – element that it’s a massive production and millions of people will be tuning in.

“I’m going to be wearing my lucky underpants on the night, that’s for sure, and I’ll be tapping Tess up for some tips in these next few weeks.”

“It’s one of my very favourite ‘work’ nights of the year – if you can call it work!” said Giedroyc, 56.

She added: “It’s the incredible feeling in the studio in Salford of everybody coming together for this brilliant life-affirming reason: Hearing from kids and watching their stories. That’s what it is all about. I think it brings out the very best of us all.”

“It is incredibly significant,” agreed Humes, 35.

“Children in Need isn’t just about one night of fundraising; it’s about real, lasting change for so many families. The money raised goes into essential projects that support children facing all sorts of challenges – whether it’s mental health support, disabilities, or even just providing safe spaces to grow and learn. These are life-changing moments for families in need of this vital support.”

What to expect from Children in Need 2024

Vernon Kay said viewers can expect “some incredibly exciting stuff”, saying: “There’s some incredibly exciting stuff which I’ve been sworn to secrecy about…”

Before adding: “I’m just so looking forward to everything coming together on the night! We’re going to have some particularly special guests, including a sparkling line up of celebs, some incredible fundraising challenges and awe-inspiring young people.”

So far, we know that there will be an auction and an exclusive preview of the Christmas Special from Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa.

You can also expect raucous games as the fate of celebrities in Graham Norton’s Red Chair is handed to a group of kids from Children in Need projects, a Strictly Come Dancing show featuring a global superstar and a special performance from the cast of circus spectacular COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman.

For the first time ever, the BBC Children in Need Choir will feature children from across the UK who have been supported by funds raised, coming together in the studio to sing the classic Take That song Never Forget.

Money raised during the 2024 appeal will help Children in Need continue to work in communities around the UK, including funding community spaces, family centres, youth clubs, refuges, homeless shelters, hospices and helplines and viewers will hear from some of the children whose lives have been changed by this support throughout the show.

“It’s a really powerful show… There are moments of extreme joy within the show – live acts, wonderful performances, comedy – and then you go to sections which are really powerful and emotional, and you hear people’s stories about how these charities have changed their lives,” says Adepitan, 51.

“Trying to capture the truthful tone of the show, and keeping it real, it keeps you on your toes (or on your wheels) at all times. That’s what makes it so unique and so special.”

While the presenters are preparing for a busy evening of live broadcasting, supporters across the UK are getting stuck into fundraising.

Bake sales and sponsored challenges are common fundraising ideas and celebrities also get behind the fundraising.

This year, Paddy McGuinness is taking on a 300-mile ride across three nations on a classic Chopper bike.

Some of the Children in Need presenters have shared their memories of fundraising over the years.

“I used to love doing the cake stall when my kids were small,” says Giedroyc.

“I got massively invested, and I have to confess, a little bit bossy. I started to give all the mums and dads on the stall a kind of pep talk, and would insist that we could not dismantle the stall until every cake had been sold! I think the power of it went to my head a bit.”

“Last year’s knee-ruining run from Leicester to Bolton was brutal, one of the toughest things I’ve ever done,” says Kay of his 115-mile Ultra Ultramarathon in 2023.

“I’m thrilled to be joining you from the comfort of MediaCity this time!”

The fundraising totals are revealed throughout the appeal show and presenter Chris Ramsey says he is surprised by the public’s generosity “Every. Single. Year”.

“In my time hosting we’ve had pandemics, we’ve had a cost of living crisis, we’ve had all kinds of social and political factors that could easily result in us raising next to nothing… but every year the public gives what they can and it’s always astonishing,” adds the comedian, 38.

How to watch Children in Need 2024

BBC Children in Need will air at 7pm on Friday, November 15.

Viewers can watch it on BBC One and iPlayer.