Paddy McGuinness has been announced as a presenter for BBC Children In Need 2025 alongside last year’s host Vernon Kay.
The duo, who have between them raised a whopping £16M for the charity, kicked off this years campaign on Monday’s The One Show ahead of the iconic telethon November 14.
While Paddy completed a gruelling 300-mile ultra-endurance cycle for the charity in 2024, Vernon undertook a 115-mile ultra marathon the previous year.
Children in Need’s new Challenge Yourself campaign is urging the nation to help make life lighter for children and young people across the UK who are facing overwhelming challenges alone.
This year’s campaign is all about the power of collective action – inspiring people from every corner of the UK to come together to make a difference.
Paddy and Vernon decided that it was Pudsey’s turn to challenge himself and handed him a very special yellow envelope – challenging him to complete 25 challenges in honour of the 2025 Appeal.
Paddy McGuinness (pictured) has been announced as a presenter for BBC Children In Need 2025 alongside last year’s host Vernon Kay
The duo, who have between them raised a whopping £16M for the charity, kicked off this years campaign on Monday ahead of the iconic telethon November 14 (Vernon pictured)
Paddy said: ‘Even before last year’s challenge, BBC Children in Need was a cause close to my heart. There’s something truly powerful about the UK coming together – united in compassion and determination – to make a real difference for children who need us most’.
‘So when I was asked to present this year’s Appeal Show, how could I possibly say no? Every child deserves someone who shows up for them, and I’m proud to play my part in helping make that happen. I know supporters up and down the country will be doing the same and I can’t wait to see what they take on.’
While Vernon, who returning for a second year as presenter added: ‘I’m so chuffed to be back with BBC Children in Need this year. Every time I get involved, I’m blown away by how generous and creative people are right across the UK. It’s all about coming together, having a laugh, and raising money that genuinely changes lives. I’m proud to do my bit.’
Meanwhile Tommy Nagra, Director of Content at BBC Children in Need, said: ‘Paddy and Vernon have shown that when we come together to challenge ourselves we can create truly transformational impact for children and families across the UK’.
‘The creativity, passion, and generosity shown by people across the UK never fails to inspire us and we can’t wait to see how the nation rises to the challenge once again, making a difference where it’s needed most.’
Currently, BBC Children in Need can only fund 1 in 6 eligible projects that apply for funding but by taking on a challenge and raising money, you’ll help ensure that every child has someone to turn to – someone who can make life feel a little lighter when it’s too heavy to carry alone.
Whether you’re climbing a mountain, hosting a quiz night, or simply donating what you can, your support will help BBC Children in Need continue to fund the people and places that make a real difference in communities across the UK.
Further details on this year’s presenting lineup will be announced in the coming weeks ahead of the charity’s 2025 Appeal show on Friday 14 November. To Challenge Yourself and help make a difference, visit: bbcchildreninneed.co.uk
Children in Need ‘s new Challenge Yourself campaign is urging the nation to help make life lighter for children and young people across the UK who are facing overwhelming challenges
While Paddy (L) completed a gruelling 300-mile ultra-endurance cycle for the charity in 2024, Vernon (R) undertook a 115-mile ultra marathon the previous year.
Last year Paddy choked back tears after he completed his brutal 300 mile charity cycle which saw him raise a whopping £7,556,853.
The TV personality arrived in Glasgow at 10:30am after setting off from Wrexham on Monday on a tiny rally chopper and was greeted by a huge crowd and confetti cannons.
Radio 2’s Zoe Ball was on hand and threw her arms around him, before he later took to the stage to duet with 80s icon Chesney Hawkes.
Paddy Told Zoe: ‘I can’t believe it. Coming out of East Kilbride and I were looking at Glasgow, and it was lit up in sunshine. And the streets were lined, I had Sir Tom at the side of me as well.
‘I came around the corner there, what a sight, what a feeling, thank you so much everybody. Wow’.
Zoe gushed how he’d endured the challenge with’ so much humility, so much humour, so much love’ before joking she could smell him from where she was standing.
After he duetting with Chesney on his famous hit The One And Only, Paddy exclaimed: ‘It’s a moment in time I will take to my grave, and I will never forget it.’
Last year Paddy choked back tears after he completed his brutal 300 mile charity cycle which saw him raise a whopping £7,556,853
The previous year Vernon was left speechless after being told he had raised an incredible £5Million pound during the live broadcast
The previous year Vernon was left speechless after being told he had raised an incredible £5Million pound during the live broadcast.
The TV presenter struggled to contain his emotion as show host Alex Scott read out the eye-popping amount.
Vernon, who only hours earlier completed the final day of his 115-mile Ultramarathon challenge, looked in total shock as the studio audience applauded.
Alex revealed the star made £5,067,847 for the good cause before branding him ‘amazing’ and incredible’.
Further details on this year’s presenting lineup will be announced in the coming weeks ahead of the charity’s 2025 Appeal show on Friday 14 November. To Challenge Yourself and help make a difference, visit: bbcchildreninneed.co.uk