BBC newsreaders boost booty total
quartet braves Beyonce dance routine for children in need
Published:
BBC newsreaders turned “bootylicious” last night as they braved a Beyonce dance routine for Children in Need.
Kate Silverton, Susanna Reid, Sophie Raworth and Fiona Bruce swapped pinstriped suits for bling as they performed the American diva’s hits Crazy In Love and Single Ladies.
Silverton said later: “It was so out of our comfort zone, but it was worth it.”
It appeared their risque performance had helped boost charity coffers – by 10.30pm fundraising had exceeded £15million.
Adrian Chiles served up an early highlight as he joined fellow presenters from the One Show with a gaudy rendition of Fame at Television Centre in a bid to smash last year’s fundraising total of £38million.
Another unlikely sight was the Dragons’ Den team donning hard hats and overalls to help renovate a Children in Need community centre in London.
The cast of Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing and EastEnders were also involved as the spectacular party for the long-running annual charity event, hosted by Sir Terry Wogan, began.
Peter Kay had got the evening under way with his charity single, which saw the comedian perform with a host of familiar children’s TV characters.
Under the name The Animated All Star Band, the track features more than 100 characters from shows down the ages.
A sneak preview of the Doctor Who Christmas episode and a special performance from the stars of Strictly Come Dancing also kept people tuning in for the seven-hour spectacular.
An edition of Lark Rise to Candleford saw Sir Terry make a guest appearance at the village Post Office.
The show was graced by a string of musical extravaganzas, including efforts from Albert Square with a Motown celebration.
Organisers were hoping to emulate the success of last year’s broadcast, which raised more than £21million on the night, with the 2008 total appeal eventually topping £38million.
In the north-east residents dug deep to help add thousands to the appeal.
At Elgin High School in Moray pupils raised more than £300 by dressing up as ravers for an afternoon disco, and one senior pupil was sponsored to sit in a paddling pool filled with baked beans.
Many other schools in the region raised similar sums of money.
Fochabers offshore worker Duncan Gordon sacrificed his thick, dark locks and raised more than £1,000.
Mr Gordon, 40, of Spey Road, collected the money after workmates on the Heather Alpha oil platform, north-east of Shetland, sponsored him to shave off all his hair.
Fraserburgh Academy, reputedly one of the best-performing schools in the UK when it comes to raising funds for Children In Need, made more than £8,000 last night, with still more money to come in.
The school has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the charity over the years.
Meanwhile, primary pupils across the north-east were encouraged to wear something spotty to class, with many schools organising discos and sales.
Staff at Aberdeen’s Monkey’s House bar collected more than £2,000 during the week. They hosted a family day on Sunday which featured face painting and a buffet. During the week, they sold promotional wrist bands for the venue’s sister pubs and clubs in Aberdeen.
Readers' Comments