Children in Need 2011


Children in Need 2011 was a campaign held in the United Kingdom to raise money for Children in Need. 2011 marked the 31st anniversary of the appeal which culminated in a live broadcast on BBC One which began on the evening of Friday 18 November and ran until the early hours of Saturday 19 November. The broadcast was hosted by Terry Wogan, with Tess Daly, Alesha Dixon and Fearne Cotton as co-hosts. The show was broadcast from BBC Television Centre in London but also included regular regional opt-outs presented from various locations around the UK.
The telecast began at 19:30 GMT and ran for six and a half hours. As usual, the broadcast featured sketches and one-off episodes of British television shows, as well as musical performances from artists including JLS, One Direction and Susan Boyle. The Collective performed their version of the Massive Attack song Teardrop, which is being released as the official Children in Need single for 2011.
The final total of money raised was revealed at 02:00 GMT as £26,332,334, with the amount expected to rise over the following days. This exceeded the money raised after the 2010 telecast by almost £7 million.

Sketches

"Teardrop" by Tulisa, Wretch 32, Ed Sheeran, Ms. Dynamite, Chipmunk, Mz Bratt, Dot Rotten, Labrinth, Rizzle Kicks and Tinchy Stryder - also known as The Collective.

Locations

The primary event was held at BBC Television Centre in London, with the main telethon and the preceding One Show special being located within the studios and outside respectively. In addition to this, each BBC Nation and Region also held individual celebrations. These celebrations typically lasted until approximately 22.00 and featured their own schedule, however would have events similar to the main telethon. These regional events were televised in opt out segments of the main telethon in which the region provided some entertainment and update on fundraising in the region. Each region was based at the following locations:
These local events were hosted by members of the regional news service, usually either one of the main programme anchors, or other members of the team including sports and weather presenters.

Other fundraising

BBC internal

Build-a-Bear Workshop
Pudsey and Blush bears
ASDA
Men's T-shirt
Ladies' T-shirt
Kids' T-shirt
Umbrellas
Baking goods
Shortbread Cutter
Cake stand
Greggs
Spotty Cupcake
Spotty jam doughnut.

Children in Need Rocks Manchester

singer and The X Factor judge Gary Barlow organised a free charity music concert, Children in Need Rocks Manchester. It was broadcast on 17 November 2011 on BBC One, BBC One HD and simulcast on BBC Radio 1 and was hosted by Fearne Cotton, Chris Moyles and David Tennant. Performers included Lady Gaga, JLS, Hugh Laurie, Jessie J, Coldplay, Snow Patrol and The Collective. The concert raised over £2,500,000 including from text donations during the programme.

Totals

The following are totals with the times they were announced on the televised show.
DateTimeTotal
18 November 201120:03 GMT£4,364,411
18 November 201121:04 GMT£8,911,090
18 November 201121:59 GMT£15,274,911
18 November 201123:09 GMT£19,555,068
19 November 201100:03 GMT£22,207,844
19 November 201101:04 GMT£24,255,334
19 November 201102:00 GMT£26,332,334

Reception

The reception from television critics about the telecast was mixed. Michael Deacon, writing for the Telegraph, said "It's a great cause. The only thing that matters is the amount of money raised for the young and needy. That's what you keep reminding yourself as you sit through hour after hour of televisual chaff." He went on to put "Is there a man, woman or child in the country...who wouldn’t donate good money in return for a guarantee that they wouldn’t have to watch any of the above ever again?" He called the cause "wonderful" but ended his review by writing "advice for the viewer...donate as large a sum as you can early on, and then feel guilt-free about switching off your TV."