Children in Need: 4 biggest talking points from the live show as new Doctor Who companion announced on air
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Children in Need returned to BBC One on Friday (18 November) for another night full of entertainment to raise money for young people across the country.
During the show, Ncuti Gatwa’s new companion on Doctor Who was revealed.
Fans also enjoyed an appearance from England men’s team footballer Mason Mount and a performance from singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi.
Other highlights include Romesh Ranganathan hosting a special version of the iconic quiz game show The Weakest Link, with a twist, and a group of celebrities took on Graham Norton’s infamous Red Chair.
Read below for X of the biggest talking points from the night.
Doctor Who’s new companion was announced
In the build-up to the show, it was announced that Doctor Who’s next assistant would be unveiled during the broadcast.
Saving the big reveal till late on, host Mel Giedroyc conjured up a tardis using the Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver and asked the new companion to step outside.
Out stepped 18-year-old Coronation Street star Millie Gibson. Gibson disclosed that her character’s name was Ruby Sunday and said she hoped to “make you all happy”.
The young actor will join the series alongside Ncuti Gatwa, who will succeed returning star David Tennant as the Time Lord.
The Repair Shop revived a very special chair
Jay Blades and Will Kirk made an appearance for a special edition of The Repair Shop. This time, they were tasked with restoring a large wooden chair brought to them by the parents of a child who died after suffering with encephalitis.
The chair featured monkey motifs, as the parents described their boy as a “cheeky monkey” but it had all gotten a bit weathered and cracked by the elements.
Kirk unveiled the new, improved chair live with the family on Children in Need and sufficed to say things got a bit emotional.
13-year-old Lenny Rush was outstanding in his role as the celebrity call centre boss during the show. Rush rose to fame after starring as Tiny Tim in the BBC’s 2019 rendition of A Christmas Carol starring Guy Pierce.
Rush, who lives with a rare genetic disorder Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia congenita, demonstrated comedic timing far beyond his years and was fearless in interacting with the celebrities. Twitter was awash with praise for the young star.
“Lenny Rush is the hero of 2022 #ChildrenInNeed2022,” one fan tweeted.
“The highlight of @BBC Children In Need this year has to be Lenny Rush! What an absolute star!” Wrote another.
Scott Mills was made to walk on a treadmill... after walking on a treadmill for 24 hours straight
As he arrived to talk to Giedroyc, the poor man was faced with another treadmill! He looked genuinely crestfallen as the host explained that they would walk and talk.
However, Mills was genuinely (and somewhat obviously) unable to do so. Who’s idea was that?
Read below to see how Children in Need unfolded.
Friday 18 November 2022 13:17 , Ellie Harrison
Hello and welcome to the Children in Need live blog! Here’s what to look out for tonight...
Everything you need to know about Children in Need 2022
Friday 18 November 2022 14:00 , Ellie Harrison
We know that, during the show this evening, Ncuti Gatwa’s companion in Doctor Who will be unveiled. Before then, here’s what you need to know about the brilliant man who’s stepping into the Time Lord’s shoes...
From Rwanda to London via Edinburgh, Ncuti Gatwa’s journey to Doctor Who
Friday 18 November 2022 14:30 , Ellie Harrison
Ahead of the broadcast tonight, which will air on BBC One from 7-10pm, DJ Scott Mills has been very busy...
Scott Mills raises £1 million in treadmill challenge for Children In Need
Friday 18 November 2022 15:36 , Ellie Harrison
One of the hosts, Jason Manford, has acknowledged how tricky it’s going to be for many to donate this year...
Children in Need! Honoured to be joining the team tonight.
The UK is full of folk with the least giving the most,but it’s gonna be a tough one this year so if that’s you just share @BBCCiN to raise awareness or show some support to people raising money. No stress, just enjoy x pic.twitter.com/0p3GOvQRG8— Jason Manford (@JasonManford) November 18, 2022
Friday 18 November 2022 16:15 , Ellie Harrison
There’s a lot of excitement building for the Doctor Who announcement tonight...
Get ready to meet the new #DoctorWho companion tonight, exclusively on @BBCCiN in the UK ❤️❤️➕♦️ pic.twitter.com/BFJ2txNLCl
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) November 18, 2022
Friday 18 November 2022 17:20 , Tom Murray
The McLaren boys have got their Pudsey ears on. Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris have passed on their best wishes for tonight’s show.
The boys getting in the #ChildrenInNeed spirit with their own set of Pudsey ears! 🧸
Have a great Appeal Show tonight, @BBCCiN and thank you for all the amazing work you do for children in the UK. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/GvZxidewxt— McLaren (@McLarenF1) November 18, 2022
Friday 18 November 2022 18:31 , Tom Murray
The McLaren boys have got their Pudsey ears on. Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris have passed on their best wishes for tonight’s show.
The boys getting in the #ChildrenInNeed spirit with their own set of Pudsey ears! 🧸
Have a great Appeal Show tonight, @BBCCiN and thank you for all the amazing work you do for children in the UK. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/GvZxidewxt— McLaren (@McLarenF1) November 18, 2022
Everything you need to know
Friday 18 November 2022 18:45 , Tom Murray
Not long now till the broadcast is underway! For all the info on how to watch, who’s presenting and much more, The Independent has put together this handy guide linked below.
Everything you need to know about Children in Need 2022
Here we go!
Friday 18 November 2022 19:02 , Tom Murray
Settle in folks. BBC One’s Children in Need Night 2022 is about to get underway.
Friday 18 November 2022 19:05 , Tom Murray
Mimi Webb is kicking things off with “Ghost of You”.
It’s coming home!
Friday 18 November 2022 19:13 , Tom Murray
Here’s the national team’s golden boy Mason Mount meeting some primary school kids in person. Their reactions: priceless.
Joe Wicks raises £564,000
Friday 18 November 2022 19:28 , Tom Murray
The Body Coach has walked 30 miles in one go to raise money for Children in Need. For each lap of his route in Manchester, Wicks had to complete a special challenge including taking to the catwalk in drag.
Those heels can’t have done his blisters any good...
I’m attempting to walk 30 miles today for @BBCCiN 💛 After every lap I have to do a special challenge 🤪
If you would like to donate you can do it here: https://t.co/icyLcPSfWT pic.twitter.com/rKmDSzsW2l— Joe Wicks (@thebodycoach) November 18, 2022
Friday 18 November 2022 19:35 , Tom Murray
Here’s the UK’s 13-year-old Junior Eurovision act, Freya Skye delivering some huge vocals.
‘The Repair Shop’ crew pulls out the stops
Friday 18 November 2022 20:04 , Tom Murray
Jay Blades and Will Kirk got to work on a chair made for a young boy named Etienne who suffered from encephalitis. The chair, featuring a monkey motif, had gotten a bit weathered and cracked in the sun and rain.
Will pulls off the gold blanket to reveal a beautifully repaired and polished chair complete with some touching, personal additions.
Friday 18 November 2022 20:21 , Tom Murray
That was Diversity! Nothing makes me feel old like seeing how grown-up Perri Kiely is these days.
Friday 18 November 2022 20:32 , Tom Murray
One can’t help but feel this Doctor Who announcement is going to be kept right to the last. Understandably so but... TELL US!!!
And Doctor Who’s newest companion is...
Friday 18 November 2022 20:41 , Tom Murray
Coronation Street star Millie Gibson! Don’t think anyone had that on their bingo cards? Gibson says she auditioned for the role and hopes to “make you all happy”.
Friday 18 November 2022 20:42 , Tom Murray
Gibson will play Ruby Sunday, companion to Ncuti Gatwa’s iteration of the Doctor.
Friday 18 November 2022 20:46 , Tom Murray
Gosh, Millie is just 18!
Lenny Rush is hilarious!
Friday 18 November 2022 21:38 , Tom Murray
The 13-year-old host of the Children in Need call centre segment has such superb comedic timing. What a star!
Friday 18 November 2022 21:43 , Tom Murray
Why is Scott Mills on a treadmill?! The poor man’s had to run for 24 hours!
Friday 18 November 2022 21:45 , Tom Murray
Oop, think Scott Mills just got cut off. “Can I just...” No you can’t Scott, as it turns out.
Over £35m raised
Friday 18 November 2022 22:01 , Tom Murray
The final totaliser is in and it’s more than £35m! An astonishing figure.
Friday 18 November 2022 22:02 , Tom Murray
That’s all folks! The show’s “best bits” will air on Sunday at 11am.
The new Doctor Who assistant was announced tonight
Friday 18 November 2022 22:30 , Tom Murray
Just a reminder for those who may have missed it. The new companion on Doctor Who was announced during the Children in Need broadcast!
Coronation Street star Mollie Gibson will join the series alongside Ncuti Gatwa, who will succeed returning star David Tennant as the Time Lord.
Read more:
Millie Gibson announced as Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who companion
