This year’s Children in Need spectacular on the BBC was showcased by presenters Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay, Chris Ramsey, and Lenny Rush.
The 2024 star-studded hosting team took charge of a three-hour special brimming with comedy gold and glitzy performances.
Highlights included an Outnumbered reunion, the acclaimed Gary Oldman narrating a CBeebies Bedtime Story, and Graham Norton ushering the return of his notorious Red Chair segment.
For the first time ever, BBC audiences witnessed the beloved TV character Bluey dance into the sparkling world of Strictly Come Dancing.
Despite the stellar lineup, viewers rapidly flocked to Twitter to voice their discontent at the plethora of presenters orchestrating the evening, reports the Mirror.
One bewildered viewer remarked: “I love them all but surely they only need two hosts at the most?!”
Another taken aback by the host count exclaimed: “6 presenters. Really???? #childreninneed.”
An additional comment from a perplexed fan read: “Haven’t watched #childreninneed for years … turned it on, and why on earth are there 6 presenters! Just carnage and only 7 minutes in.”
However, few spectators also expressed confusion over the show’s compressed duration, nostalgically recalling when such specials stretched far into the night.
Pondering the times gone by, one fan asked: “Does anyone remember when shows such as #ChildrenInNeed used to go on until 1am?”
Echoing this sentiment, another mused: “Why are there so many hosts though? I get having that many when Children In Need went on until like 2am like the old days but now? There are only 3 hours you only need like 3 or 4 of them #childreninneed” (sic).
Although some viewers were clearly delighted with the choice of hosts this year, as one person tweeting: “Glad Rochelle and Vernon are hosting.”
Another fan added:”Lenny is so savage and I love him! He is just so funny.”
Meanwhile, Mel Giedroyc marks her eighth consecutive year at the helm of the programme and talks about her enthusiasm for returning. She expressed: “It’s one of my very favourite ‘work’ nights of the year.
“If you can call it work! It’s the incredible feeling in the studio in Salford of everybody coming together for this brilliant life-affirming reason – hearing from kids and watching their stories. That’s what it is all about. I think it brings out the very best of us all.”
Likewise, BBC personality Vernon Kay shares his deep sentiments regarding his involvement in the event. He reveals: “BBC Children in Need has always been a big deal in our house, as you’ll know Tess presented for years alongside Sir Terry, so it’s a really big deal for me to be a part of it.
“There’s the emotional element of being part of something that’s doing so much good, but also the practical (terrifying!) element that it’s a massive production and millions of people will be tuning in.”
“I’m going to be wearing my lucky underpants on the night, that’s for sure, and I’ll be tapping Tess up for some tips in these next few weeks.”
Children in Need is available to watch on BBC iPlayer