BBC Children in Need returns with a live entertainment extravaganza of comedy, music and surprise guests to raise life-changing funds for children and young people across the UK. Live from Salford, Ade Adepitan MBE, Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay, Chris Ramsey and Lenny Rush present a jam-packed evening of sketches and performances featuring well-known faces as you have never seen them before. Highlights on the night include a special performance from Strictly Come Dancing as the professionals are joined by a global superstar, a visit from the BBC's Gladiators, and a world exclusive preview of the Doctor Who Christmas special. Graham Norton's Red Chair is back with a twist as a group of children from BBC Children in Need projects decide the fate of some famous faces who attempt to make them laugh. The One Show's Challenge Squad, which features young people who have been supported by BBC Children in Need projects, culminates in two live performances in the BBC Children in Need Studio alongside some very special guests including multiplatinum-selling artist Ella Henderson. The audience can also expect a special performance from the cast of COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman, a brand new circus spectacular. This year, for the first time, the BBC Children in Need Choir features children from across all parts of the UK who've been supported by projects funded by BBC Children, coming together in the studio to sing the anthemic Take That classic Never Forget. Paddy McGuinness finds out the total raised by his Radio 2 Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge, which sees him cycle through three nations and eight counties in aid of BBC Children in Need's 2024 appeal. Viewers can also look forward to an important pitch in the Dragons' Den and a very special CBeebies Bedtime Story. Money raised during the 2024 appeal will help BBC Children in Need to continue working in communities across the four nations, funding amazing people in family centres, community spaces, youth clubs, refuges, homeless shelters, hospices and on helplines. This year, BBC Children in Need is asking the public to make life lighter for children all across the UK. Throughout the night, appeal films feature some of the children and young people whose lives have been changed through the support of BBC Children in Need, and the project workers who work tirelessly to help them. The need has never been greater, as the charity is only able to fund one in eight of the organisations who ask for money.