‘Doctor Who‘ and ‘Call The Midwife‘ Christmas specials to preview on BBC’s ‘Children in Need 2012‘ Appeal and Corrie’s Duckworth’s return?

BBC One has announced the 2012 BBC Children in Need Appeal show returns live from Television Centre on Friday 16 November. Sir Terry Wogan will once again present alongside Fearne Cotton, Tess Daly and Nick Grimshaw to host a bigger than ever, spectacular night of musical entertainment, sketches, special features, glitz, glamour and guest appearances to help raise money for disadvantaged children in the UK.

The star-studded evening of entertainment will feature music performances from One Direction who kick off the programme, plus Little Mix, Susan Boyle, Leona Lewis, The Script, Paloma Faith, Il Divo and Tim Minchin. Pop superstars Girls Aloud will also reunite live in the studio for the exclusive first TV performance of their much anticipated official Children in Need 2012 single entitled ‘Something New’.

Around 20 of Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes including Tom Daley, Rebecca Adlington, Louis Smith, David Weir, Nicola Adams and Ellie Simmonds will be throwing shapes in their very own music video set to Basement Jaxx’s ‘Do Your Thing’ – including a special section featuring Zara Phillips and her 3 Day Eventing teammates dancing the ‘Gangnam Style’.

Strictly Come Dancing viewers’ favourites Ann Widdecombe and Russell Grant will return to the dance floor on a wing and a prayer for an unmissable performance with their partners Anton Du Beke and Flavia Cacace.

Doctor Who, featuring Matt Smith, will also bring viewers an extra special ‘prequel’ to its Christmas special, with a bespoke storyline made for Children in Need, and an exclusive preview trailer of the Christmas special including the first glimpse of the Doctor with his new companion. There will also be an exclusive preview of the ‘Call The Midwife’ Christmas special.

BBC Newsreaders, Fiona Bruce, Sophie Raworth and Bill Turnbull, will be pitting their driving skills against each other in a special edition of Top Gear’s ‘Star in a reasonably priced car’. A host of comedy specials will also feature including an exclusive episode of ‘Not Going Out‘ with Lee Mack featuring a cameo appearance from Sir Terry Wogan himself.

The action will spread across the country, as presenter and former chorister Aled Jones leads The Choir of 2,500 strong chorus of young singers in an unforgettable performance of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’.

Viewers will also get a rare treat as pop princess Kylie Minogue performs reworkings of some of her classic hits accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra, filmed at Proms in the Park in Hyde Park earlier this summer. Also EastEnders Shona McGarty (who plays Whitney) will be singing an extra special number.

Fearne Cotton will introduce an appeal film on bullying and Robbie Williams will help tell the moving story of a family supported by Children in Need through a time of grief. Olympian Tom Daley will front a film about a teenage hero who has been helped by Children in Need and EastEnders actress Nina Wadia (who plays Zainab) meets a little boy whose life has been transformed by Children in Need’s “Friendship Project”.

Sir Terry Wogan, Children in Need Life President says: “Children in Need as ever is graced by the presence of lovely ladies Tess and Fearne, and this year I’ll be delighted to welcome Radio 1’s morning star, Nick Grimshaw, to prop me up as the Friday appeal stretches into Saturday, and we head for what we hope will be another record-breaking total for the people’s charity. Every year of Children in Need is a shining tribute to the extraordinary generosity of the British people.”

Nick Grimshaw said: “I’m really excited to be co-hosting on Children In Need this year and working alongside the legend that is Sir Terry Wogan. I’ve been watching since I was a kid. It’s one of my favourite events of the year and I used to force my mum to have a party and invite everyone around when it was on. Children In Need is an amazing charity and does incredibly important work so I feel privileged to be helping out.”

Times as follows:

The One Show’s Children in Need special BBC One, 7.00pm – 7.30pm, with Matt Baker and Alex Jones

BBC Children in Need BBC One, 7.30pm – 10.00pm, with Sir Terry Wogan, Fearne Cotton, Tess Daly

BBC Children in Need BBC Two, 10.00pm – 10.35pm, (during the BBC One Ten O’Clock News) with Sir Terry Wogan and Fearne Cotton

BBC Children in Need BBC One, 10.35pm – time tbc approx. 1.30/2.00am, with Sir Terry Wogan, Fearne Cotton and Nick Grimshaw

Girls Aloud said: “It’s a huge privilege for us to perform the Children in Need official single this year and we’re really looking forward to making our first TV performance of ‘Something New’ on Appeal night. The charity has always meant a lot to us and we hope to raise as much money from the single as possible!”

Tom Daley said: “’It’s such an honour to be part of Children in Need this year, it’s a fantastic cause. It was lots of fun doing some crazy moves for the dance video!”

Aled Jones said: “I am really proud to be so involved with Children in Need this year, to be heading up The Choir is a huge honour. ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ is such a moving song and having visited some of the choirs around the country, I am certain that we will nail it and give the audience a real highlight on the big night.”

Susan Boyle said: “I am delighted to be able to return to Children in Need this year and support this event. It is a fantastic charity that raises much needed funds for children and I would urge everyone to be as generous as possible. I can’t wait to be a part of this wonderful evening, hopefully we can beat last year’s total and raise even more this year!”

Following last year’s huge success as Matt Baker completed his gruelling rickshaw ride from Edinburgh to London, The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge returns but this time six young people will take on the challenge. ‘Team Rickshaw’ will be made up of six youngsters, all of whom have been either supported by or still are supported by BBC Children in Need-funded projects. They will embark on the arduous journey on the morning of Friday 9 November from Llandudno and will attempt to complete the marathon 411-mile journey in eight days, arriving at BBC Television Centre for The One Show’s BBC Children in Need special on Friday 16 November; while The Choir will be singing live and in unison for Children in Need on Friday 16 November. 2,500 children all across the UK have been brought together with the help of Aled Jones.

There will also be a host of BBC Radio 2 programmes supporting the event in various ways and special Children in Need themed programmes on the BBC around Appeal night from DIY SOS, Pointless, Blue Peter, Only Connect, CBeebies, Antiques Road Trip, Bargain Hunt as well as Strictly Come Dancing’s Children In Need special live from Wembley Arena on Saturday 17 November.