Children in Need: 8 talking points, from Andy Murray vs Peter Crouch to Cher singing Oasis

Children in Need invited a star-studded cast to its 40th anniversary celebrations, from Dolly Parton and Cher to Andy Murray and Peter Crouch.

This year's event took place with safety restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic, with a number of performances taking place virtually.

Here are eight of the biggest talking points from the three-hour special…

Shawn Mendes performed his new single, “Wonder”

It seems a lifetime ago that we tuned in to watch Lady Gaga’s One World Together at Home event. While it was undoubtedly a moving and well-intended event, an obvious downside to these at-home shows is the fact that artists have to get creative with their performances. Some went above and beyond to entertain viewers, while others were content to strum an acoustic guitar in front of a white wall. Mendes, thankfully, managed to get his band together (along with some great lighting) and make us feel like we were *almost in the venue with him, as he performed a song from his forthcoming album.

Six the Musical

A musical in which the wives of Henry VIII are a girl band? Sign us right up. Yep, the cast of Six stopped by to perform an energetic mash-up of “Ex Wives” and “Six” in a wonderful tribute to the power of British theatre.

Brian the fundraiser

When it’s live, it’s live – anything can happen. Unfortunately in this case that meant that a lovely segment with a star Children in Need fundraiser went slightly awry, but in the most adorable of ways. Brian, who has raised thousands of pounds for the charity, suffered from some technical issues (hosts Mel Giedroyc and Stephen Mangan couldn’t hear him), despite some help from home. Thankfully he did get his award, and was apparently chuffed to bits.

Jesy Nelson misses the show

While Little Mix made an appearance on Friday night’s show along with Dick and Dom, they were without Jesy Nelson, who is currently ill. It’s the third TV appearance she’s missed with the band in the last week, leading fans to share their concerns for her on Twitter. We’re sending our love.

The “Stop Crying Your Heart Out” video makes its debut

With a star-studded line-up including Cher, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and Lenny Kravitz, this year’s Children in Need single is a pretty special one. The video made its debut during Friday’s appeal show, with Twitter commentators comparing Cher’s feather-covered outfit to both Schitt’s Creek’s Moira Rose and CBBC’s Raven.

Andy Murray and Peter Crouch battle it out

One of the highlights of every Children in Need event is the sporting legends who, it turns out, have a great sense of humour. We already knew that about Murray and Crouch, obviously, but it was a treat to see them together as they faced off on the tennis court. Particularly with a teeny-bopper umpire who was supremely unbothered about their childish antics. Despite some appalling cheating from Crouch, it was Murray who triumphed in the end.

Carrie Hope Fletcher and Andrew Lloyd Webber perform “Bad Cinderella”

At a time when the theatre world has come to a standstill, it’s nice to know that good things are on the horizon. Carrie Hope Fletcher treated viewers to a performance of “Bad Cinderella” from Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s new musical Cinderella, which will be opening next year. Lloyd Webber also said that it’s his “crusade” to get live performance venues open again in time for panto season.

Pudsey inspired Dolly Parton

Yes, the legendary Dolly Parton appeared in this year’s Children in Need event to reveal how much the charity’s longtime mascot has inspired her. Did you know “Jolene” is Pudsey’s middle name? Us neither.

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