Children In Need 2022: Glamorous Alex Scott and Mel Giedroyc front the annual telethon

The 2022 Children In Need telethon returned to BBC One on Friday evening, live from the BBC studios in Salford.

Mel Giedroyc, Ade Adepitan MBE and Jason Manford appeared on stage as hosts for the annual show, alongside Chris Ramsey and Alex Sott- with the latter announcing ‘Welcome to Children In Need 2022’.

And during the charity show, a slew of famous faces took part to do their bit for charity – including Strictly stars John Whaite and Maisie Smith, with the latter bagging £20,000 for the charity during a special edition of gameshow Blankety Blank.

But before that, Mimi Webb kicked off the telethon with a show-stopping performance of her smash hit Ghost Of You.

Hosts: Mel Giedroyc, Ade Adepitan MBE and Jason Manford appeared on stage as hosts for the annual show, alongside Chris Ramsey and Alex Sott- with the latter announcing ‘Welcome to Children In Need 2022’

Head to head: And during the charity show, a slew of famous faces took part to do their bit for charity – including Strictly stars John Whaite (right) and Maisie Smith (left) , with the latter bagging £20,000 for the charity during a special edition of gameshow Blankety Blank

The singer donned a white co-ord with a cropped blazer and tailored trousers for the performance, getting the energy pumping for the evening.

And following the performance, Mel took to the stage to announce: ‘We have got an absolute banger of a show tonight, Pudsey has been febreezed and we have got a new kid on the block, it’s Jason Manford!’

Later in the show, Alex announced the Blankety Blank segment with Maisie and John, saying: ‘Now this might be Children In Need, but recently, it was two Strictly icons who needed our children’s help,’ she shared – before a video of Bradley Walsh hosting the Children In Need gameshow played.

Quic show royalty: The special Blankety Blank quiz was hosted by Bradley Walsh, and featured a group of children who have been helped by the charity

All down to you! John was the first to be booted off the gameshow, leaving Maisie left to take on the ‘supermatch’ round, hoping to win a huge cash prize for Children In Need

Doubling it: Working with the group of children, Maisie managed to bag £10,000 for the charity – before Bradley revealed that he was going to double the amount because it was a ‘special show’, scoring out the number to read £20,000

Longstanding host: Mel has been presenting Children In Need for the last five years, and is also known for her work on The Great British Back Off alongside co-host Sue Perkins

The show featured a group of children who have been helped by the charity, alongside the soap star and Great British Bake Off winner.  

John was the first to be booted off the gameshow, leaving Maisie left to take on the ‘supermatch’ round, hoping to win a huge cash prize for Children In Need.

Working with the group of children, Maisie managed to bag £10,000 for the charity – before Bradley revealed that he was going to double the amount because it was a ‘special show’, scoring out the number to read £20,000. 

The annual telethon sees three hours of jam-packed programming, with celebrities and civilians alike coming together to raise money for a worthy cause.

The Children In Need fundraising appeal first began in 1980 and over 40 years later, the campaign is still going strong in a bid to help disadvantaged children and young people around the UK.

Performer: Mimi Webb kicked off the telethon with a show-stopping performance of her smash hit Ghost Of You.

Stylish: Singer Mimi donned a white co-ord with a cropped blazer and tailored trousers for the performance, getting the energy pumping for the evening

Welcome: And following the performance, Mel (left) took to the stage to announce: ‘We have got an absolute banger of a show tonight, Pudsey has been febreezed’

New arrival: Dubbed the ‘new kid on the block’, Jason is the newest addition to the presenting quintet

Following an introduction from the five hosts, a short video showed footballer Mason Mount, who is a Patron for Together for Short Lives, surprising a group of school children in support of Children In Need.

The show later moved onto a segment with Personal Trainer Joe Wicks, who had done a 30 mile walk around Salford Quays with a slew of different celebrities, alongside dressing up in drag and face paint to raise more money for the charity.

But as the segmant was due to begin, presenter Alex suffered a live TV blunder as she gestured for a video to play of him on the screen – with nothing coming up.

The awkward moment saw a minute of silence on stage, before Alex brought it back by telling the audience: ‘Well there was meant to be a video. But we’re just going to bring him out, Joe Wickes everybody.’

Doing his bit: Joe Wicks, who had done a 30 mile walk around Salford Quays with a slew of different celebrities, also dressed up drag and face paint to raise more money for the charity

Queen! He was seen getting a glamorous makeover by stars of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK such as Baga Chipz, Tia Kofi, Ella Vardy, Kitty Scott-Clau

Joe then arrived on stage via two sliding doors, discussing his hard work to raise money as he shared: ‘It’s been amazing, i’ve walked just over 27 miles so i’m quite happy with it. I’ve dressed up as a drag queen, i’ve been acting,’ i’ve been spray painted.’ 

‘Would you like to know how much you have raised?’, Chris asked Joe, before revealing that he had raised a whopping £564,000.

‘Where’s that come from? Thank you so much to everyone who donated, thank you for your love and support. Keep donating if you can,’ Joe told the audience and camera. 

Awkward: Alex and Chris attempted to introduce Joe Wicks’ segment on the show, but ran into technical issues when a video of the Personal Trainer failed to play during the live show

He’s here! Bringing it back, they got Joe onto the stage as he detailed the 27 mile walk he had just completed for the charity

What an effort: ‘Would you like to know how much you have raised?’, Chris asked Joe, before revealing that he had raised a whopping £564,000

Proud: ‘Where’s that come from? Thank you so much to everyone who donated, thank you for your love and support. Keep donating if you can,’ Joe told the audience and camera

Smiles: Before heading on stage, Joe took a moment to beam for some snaps backstage – holding the iconic Pudsey bear in the air following a day of fundraising

Following Joe’s impressive challenge, Freya Skye – who is the UK’s contestant for this year’s forthcoming Junior Eurovision – took to the stage with a live performace. 

The 13-year-old performer performed song Lose My Head for the first time on stage during the telethon, ahead of the December competition.

Donning a gorgeous red ensemble, Freya appeared on stage sitting on a golden throne as she belted out the number, surrounded by a crew of backup dancers.

Performer: Following Joe’s impressive challenge, Freya Skye – who is the UK’s contestant for this year’s forthcoming Junior Eurovision – took to the stage with a live performace

Killing it: Donning a gorgeous red ensemble, Freya appeared on stage sitting on a golden throne as she belted out the number, surrounded by a crew of backup dancers.

Following this, the annual Children In Need choir took to the stage with a tear-jerking rendition of Somewhere Only We Know – as a video montage was played over the top too.  

The performance left both viewers and the live audience with shivers, as the hosts dubbed it one of their ‘favourite parts of the show’.

And then it was time for another Children in Need special, as a special clip of BBC’s The Repair Shop began to play – with furniture restorer Will Kirk helping out a family by reinventing a sentimental chair for their late son.

Will and the family were then brought on to the stage to be given their new chair, as they shared their story with the audience.  

Next up was a special performance from former Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity, who took to the stage with a moving performance.

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.

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. 

Ready to go! Chris Ramsey, who is one of the hosts for the evening, beamed for some snaps on the Children In Need red carpter before heading on stage

Suave: The actor and comedian donned a velvet suit in a deep forest green with a complementing bow tie, alongside black tailored trousers

Sally Dynevor was also in the Children in Need spirit, beaming alongside a massive Pudsey bear.

The soap star wrapped up in a black padded jacket and leggings after completing 2.5 miles of Joe Wick’s 27 mile walk with him, joining the fitness fanatic for one section of the fundraiser.

Smile! Sally Dynevor was also in the Children in Need spirit, beaming alongside a massive Pudsey bear

Stars: Ellen White joined Sally and Pudsey for the fundraising extravaganza 

Earlier on Friday before the show, Lorraine Kelly shocked her fellow celebrities as she erupted with an expletive-ridden rant for a hilarious Children In Need sketch.

The presenter, 62, put her kindhearted temperament to one side for the act, which saw her helping out at a call centre for the charity.

She had been taking donations over the phone as her usual self before breaking into a fit of anger, causing Peter Andre to spit out his water. 

‘What the f**k are you looking at?!’ Lorraine Kelly shocked her fellow celebrities as she erupted with an expletive-ridden rant for a hilarious Children In Need sketch on Friday

Deborah Meaden and Iain Stirling also looked shocked, while the Scottish TV personality directed her wrath towards the charity mascot Pudsey Bear.

Lorraine began by saying to the caller: ‘That’s so generous! Actually, could you just hold on a wee second, poppet? Just hold on for me for a minute.’

She then fumed: ‘[Beep] How many times have I told you [beep] to shut up? Honest to [beep] shut up [beep] shut up! I cannot concentrate on what I’m [beep] doing here!’

Shock! She had been taking donations over the phone as her usual self before breaking into a fit of anger, causing Peter Andre to spit out his water

Oh dear! Deborah Meaden and Iain Stirling also looked shocked, while the Scottish TV personality directed her wrath towards the charity mascot Pudsey Bear

Hilarious: The presenter, 62, put her kindhearted temperament to one side for the act, which saw her helping out at a call centre for the charity

She then shouted at Pudsey: ‘What the [beep] are you looking at?’ before returning to her dulcet tones for the phone call.

For the past 42 years, Children in Need has never failed to bring the country together to raise money for an excellent cause.

And this year is set to be filled with sketches, musical performances, and even promises a ‘big surprise’ as it returns to screens on November 18.

Last month, Alex Scott was announced as a presenter for this year’s BBC show, as she returns for her third year.

Last month, Alex Scott (pictured) was announced as a presenter for this year’s BBC show, as she returns for her third year

The former Arsenal footballer, 37, will host the evening alongside Jason Manford, Ade Adepitan MBE, Mel Giedroyc and Chris Ramsey from the BBC studios in Salford.

BBC Children In Need is an annual fundraiser which raises money for disadvantaged children.

In July, it was revealed that last years appeal raised £51million for people facing disadvantage across the UK.

The charity is currently supporting over 2,300 local charities and projects across the country.

Wheelchair basketball player Ade, presenter Mel and comedians Chris and Jason join Alex as this year’s presenters.

The BBC website also promises an exciting line-up, featuring Bradley Walsh as host of a children’s takeover of Blankety Bank – a gameshow – which contestants Maisie Smith and John Waite.

Another segment to watch is The Repair Shop, with the team set to share a ‘very special restoration’ revealed on the BBC Children in Need stage.

BBC Children In Need is an annual fundraiser which raises money for disadvantaged children. Its mascot Pudsey pictured earlier this month 

Celebrities will also have their tales judged by youngsters in a special showing of Graham Norton’s Red Chair, with Romesh Ranganathan set to host a Children In Need edition of The Weakest Link.

Other highlights set to entertain include a Fundraiser of the Year award, introduced by BBC Radio 2’s Michael Ball OBE.

An exclusive broadcast of the UK’s first-time performance of its Junior Eurovision Song Contest act will also air.

Appeal films will air throughout the evening, and musical and dancing acts are also expected from Lewis Capaldi, dance group Diversity, and the beloved Children In Need Choir, with their take on Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know.

Alex earlier today took to Instagram to share a sneak peak as the group rehearsed on the Children in Need stage, ahead of the big night tomorrow.

Meanwhile earlier this week, comedian Jason took a trip to Southampton, to witness the effect of donations on communities.

BBC’s Children In Need Instagram account posted a clip of the visit, writing: ‘Ahead of presenting our Appeal Show for the first time, @JasonManford went to visit Wildern Opportunity Group, to see how your donations make a difference.’

Chris too made his own visit, to Kids Kabin, project funded by the campaign in Newcastle.

Last month Ade also starred in a promotional clip ahead of the fundraiser, as the athlete faced off Pudsey in a hilarious game of ‘Bear Pong’.

The post went to explain that the fun help the project’s ‘Friday group sessions for children from the age 0-5 years with special needs and complex health needs and their families’.

You can watch the Great SPOTacular Appeal Night on November 18, starting from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

You can donate now by visiting the Children in Need website.

Last month Ade (pictured) also starred in a promotional clip ahead of the fundraiser, as the athlete faced off Pudsey in a hilarious game of ‘Bear Pong’