How much Children in Need 2023 managed to raise

The annual Children in Need live charity appeal was a showbiz extravaganza with turns from Catherine, Princess of Wales and David Tennant.

The Princess of Wales began proceedings, which had Mel Giedroyc returning to host alongside Ade Adepitan, Jason Manford, Chris Ramsey, Alex Scott and new addition Lenny Rush.

Children in Need raises money to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people around the UK.

Since the BBC’s first appeal in 1980, the show has raised more than £1bn for charities and projects.

Here is what happened in 2023’s edition

How much money did Children in Need 2023 raise?

The show which kicked off on Friday evening raised a whopping £33.5m on the night, although the final figure could be higher.

Last year the amount generated during the show was £35m, with the overall total coming in at £44m.

In 2021 the appeal brought in £57m.

What happened on the show?

The Princess of Wales opened the show. In her message, she told the audience how “vital” the projects supported by Children In Need were.

“Tonight is all about helping to support, champion and empower all children to be the very best they can be, which is crucial for their future health and happiness,” she said in her pre-recorded message.

“Our relationships, surroundings and experiences during the earliest years lay the foundations that shape the rest of our lives.

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“Yet, sadly, we know that for too many people, stressful and traumatic situations in early childhood can cause harm and it can take many years to overcome.”

She also spoke of the wide-ranging impact of the funds raised in the show.

“They help the very youngest, most vulnerable members of our society feel safe, secure and loved in these important, formative years, so that they can enjoy their childhoods now, and grow to reach their potential and thrive in the world in later life,” she said.

Among the other celebrities was David Tennant who appeared in a special Doctor Who sketch for the show. The clip, created by Russell T Davies, saw Tennant once again take up the role of the Time Lord in which his Tardis accidentally appears at the “genesis of the Daleks” – the enemy of the Doctor.

During the show, the cast of I Should Be So Lucky – the Stock Aitken Waterman musical – performed, with Manford and Giedroyc dressing up as Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue while they sang “Especially For You”.

Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock performed her solo single “My Love”.

Among the presenters was a new face: Lenny Rush.

The 14-year-old actor, best known for appearing as Ollie in the BBC series Am I Being Unreasonable?, made history by becoming the first-ever child presenter of the show.

It was also announced that he will be appearing in Doctor Who scenes next year.

How much did Vernon Kay raise?

The live show also featured an appearance from BBC Two broadcaster Vernon Kay, after he completed an ultra-marathon challenge in aid of the charity. The DJ ran from Leicester to Bolton – a distance of 116 miles – over four days.

When he learned his challenge had raised £5,067,847 he said: “Wow, speechless”.