£39,389,048

Thank you, your generosity is truly astounding. Together, we can & we will change young lives.

Watch #ChildreninNeed → @BBCiPlayer
Donate → https://t.co/2juQDENBa0

— BBC Children in Need (@BBCCiN) November 19, 2021

However, some of the biggest stars were saved for the telethons annual single, which this year was a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s 1987 track “Everywhere”. Played as a duet between One Direction’s Niall Horan and singer Anne-Marie, the music video showed footage of the stars in the studio. Here we can see some of the names behind the scenes, with Ed Sheeran playing acoustic guitar, Yungblud helping out on bass, Griff on synths, and Lewis Capaldi giving it some tambourine. Artist Sam Smith was also reportedly involved, despite not appearing in the video. Horan had this to say about his part in the single. “Togetherness sits at the heart of BBC Children in Need, and that’s what this track is all about. I hope people enjoy it, but above all, I hope it lets anyone who might be struggling right now know that we are here for them.” Anne-Marie had a similarly enthusiastic response, saying “As we have seen over the past eighteen months, amazing things happen when we come together to help make a difference, and that’s why I am so proud to be releasing this special track with Niall. I hope everyone loves it as much as we do.”

I hope you all enjoy it, but above all, I hope it lets anyone who might be struggling right now know that we are here for them. Special thank you to @edsheeran, @LewisCapaldi, @yungblud, @samsmith and @wiffygriffy for being a part of this video. https://t.co/6FFrrlpVPp pic.twitter.com/JfRuXYjyR1 — Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) November 19, 2021

As for the song’s original composer, Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac was enthusiastic to have her song be part of a good cause. She had this to say. “I’m thrilled with this new version of Everywhere and to be part of this year’s Children In Need campaign. I hope we can really make a difference.” The track is free to listen to on streaming services, but if you’re feeling extra giving, you can purchase it on iTunes for only 99p, with a minimum of 50p going to Children in Need.

“I want to thank everybody for giving me the opportunity. This has been really special…”

We are SO proud of you, @sophieEB – you’ve done it AND you’ve now reached an incredible £1,009,317! #R2KitchenDisco pic.twitter.com/QyAivfibTn

— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) November 17, 2021

The Danceathon started on the morning of 16th November 2012 and was streamed live via BBC iPlayer. The philanthropic event saw the singer move and dance for an entire day and night. The challenge took place at the BBC Radio Theatre in London, the stage was constructed to reflect the perfect kitchen for a disco. The “Murder On The Dancefloor” singer donned various glamorous outfits and performed numerous routines involving dancing, ribbons and karaoke.

The singer also performed tracks from her back catalogue including hit songs such as “Take Me Home”. The singer was accompanied by her husband and fellow musician Richard Jones for a rendition of “Murder On The Dancefloor”. The musical duo performed the singer’s most popular track with Jones playing a bass guitar shaped like the Millennium Flacon. Ellis-Bextor was joined by her entire family towards the end of the Danceathon who danced with the singer until the finish line. The danceathon came to a close with a group performance of the beloved and aptly chosen ABBA track “Dancing Queen”.

The 42-year-old singer was joined by multiple guests who also took part in the charity’s 41st year of fundraising. The star-studded and long list of guests included comedian Simon Pegg, Beverley Knight, DJ Edith Bowman, reality TV figures Gemma Collins and Jamie Laing and BBC Radio presenters Zoe Ball and Sara Cox.

Ellis-Bextor and Ball spoke on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show once the danceathon had concluded. The singer held an emotional conversation with Ball whilst kneeling on the stage and stated, “What a team, thank you so much. I’ve been so well supported. This has been extraordinary. I always thought this would be an privilege to have done and I’ve never done anything like this so I want to thank everybody for giving me the opportunity and I’ve been weepy solidly for the last hour this has been really special and thank you to everybody who donated and everybody who gave me energy and support and messages, it’s got me through.” The interview continued with Ball thanking Ellis-Bextor for her involvement in the charity whilst congratulating and admiring her family and giving spirit.

Head of Radio 2, Helen Thomas, has given the following statement concerning Ellis-Bextor’s triumphant success. “All of us at Radio 2 would like to say the hugest thank you to Sophie Ellis-Bextor for agreeing to undertake and now completing an incredible 24 hours Kitchen Disco Danceathon, raising a total so far of £1,009,317 for BBC Children In Need. Thank you to all the wonderful Radio 2 listeners who have donated and all those who joined at any point in the Danceathon to support and motivate Sophie along the way. We are all in awe of her accomplishment!”

The name of the charitable initiative is derived from the weekly “Kitchen Discos” in which Ellis-Bextor held over Instagram live during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. The mini-concerts started in 2020 and featured the singer at home with her family. On 16th July 2020, the singer released her greatest hits album entitled Songs From The Kitchen Disco. The singer’s Kitchen Disco’s also gained attention when formed as a weekly BBC radio show presented by Ellis-Bextor.

The singer has kept the popular theme throughout her career with her 2022 tour entitled Kitchen Disco Tour. Ellis-Bextor will embark on her upcoming tour on 6th March 2022 and will perform in over 20 cities across the UK.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor UK tour dates

06/03/2022 – The Picturedome – West Yorkshire
07/03 – Symphony Hall – Birmingham
08/03 – De La Warr Pavilion – Bexhill On Sea
09/03 – Bath Forum – Bath
11/03 – Pyramid and Parr Hall – Warrington
12/03 – Sheffield City Hall Oval Hall – Sheffield
14/03 – Tramshed – Cardiff
16/03 – G Live Guildford – Guildford
17/03 – De La Warr Pavilion – Bexhill On Sea
19/03 – Lighthouse – Poole
20/03 – The Anvil – Basingstoke
21/03 – Southend Cliffs Pavilion – Southend-On-Sea
23/03 – St Georges Hall – Bradford
24/03 – O2 City Hall Newcastle – Newcastle Upon Tyne
25/03 – Bridgewater Hall – Manchester
27/03 – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – Glasgow
29/03 – Royal Concert Hall Notts – Nottingham
30/03 – The London Palladium – London
12/08 – Chester Lakes – Chester
13/08 – Chester Lakes – Chester

Click here to purchase tickets.

Click here to listen to Kitchen Disco on BBC Sounds.

The Guardian have reported Kylie Minogue to of said, “Children in Need is such a special charity and so loved by everyone, including me. It was a privilege to take part in this recording with so many amazing artists. This year it feels even more poignant than ever, and I hope we can all come together to raise as much as possible.”

The supergroup was backed by the BBC orchestra which included Grace Chatto and Sheku Kanneh-Mason joining on cello, and Anoushka Shankar on sitar. The video was directed by Phil Deacon who produced the BBC Radio 1 all star live lounge. It’s debut was aired on Friday’s ‘Children In Need’ show which this year, raised 37 million pounds for the charity.

Nile Rogers, who recorded his part of the video in his garden, said to The Metro, “Watching these children every year, it touches your heart, it inspires you to be better yourself, and when I was playing it I was sort of swept away. I was really happy too that I could play it at my own house in the back yard. Believe it or not, my neighbours started to gather round and wonder what I was doing, that was cool because I actually don’t get a chance to see them very often.”

This year's @BBCCiN single from the @BBCRadio2 Allstars is OUT NOW! I'm so proud to be a part of something so special. Donate by downloading here: https://t.co/FEgXmZyJI1 #ChildrenInNeed

— Cher (@cher) November 15, 2020

Cher commented to The Daily Mail, giving her thoughts on the Oasis ballad by saying that she “felt very emotional recording this song, it was very important to me.” Lenny Kravitz also gave his views on the collaboration saying, “We are living in a time when children need all the support they can get and so it is a pleasure to be collaborating with so many great artists for such an important cause. I hope this song reminds everyone that we are all in this together and we can make a difference.”

Jeff Smith, head of music for BBC Radio 2 was responsible for putting the iconic group together and curating the charity single. Music-news.com reported him to of said in regards to the song choice, “I think the lyrics within this song are extremely poignant given the times we are in, and hope this song not only raises vital funds for children and young people across the UK, but also brings hope to people that need it, as the lyrics say, ‘Just try not to worry, you’ll see them someday.’ “

There is no doubt that the single has touched the hearts of the nation in the difficult times we are all facing. The success of the track will come to light on Friday but Official Charts have announced that they are in the lead for the top spot in the charts. If the sales keep up, ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’ will be the eighth Children in Need single to reach Number 1 in the charts.

The announcement was made by Dotty on The 1Xtra Breakfast Show this morning. Dotty spoke about Stormzy’s pledge and said he “inspired a movement.” She went on to explain the plan, saying; “BBC Children in Need will work with young people and 1Xtra to develop a plan that will support individuals, organisations and groups in all areas of the UK, and fund a range of activites that will enhance young black lives.”

BBC Radio 1Xtra will also have a programme to develop radio presenters and also tell the stories of the communities who receive the funding from Children in Need.

View this post on Instagram

“This is huge” Listen to our announcement that we will be matching Stormzy’s £10M pledge with new funding to benefit young Black lives in the UK, in partnership with BBC Radio 1Xtra. For more info on the fund and how to apply, head to our site.

A post shared by BBC Children in Need (@bbccin) on Jul 13, 2020 at 3:59am PDT

Children in Need will donate this money over ten years. The funding will be available to support young social entrepreneurs in making a difference in their local communities. It will also enable access to education and learning to develop young people’s skills and confidence for work. The funding will be delegated by a panel of young people and volunteers with direct experience of the Black British experience.

Speaking about the plan, Kenny Imafidon, trustee of BBC Children in Need, said: “I can speak for the entire Board of Trustees and all the staff at BBC Children in Need when I say, we were really inspired by Stormzy’s pledge. I am excited about this new fund and I truly believe that this is the beginning of greater things to come, as we continue on our mission to support children and young people most in need.”

It is not surprising that Stormzy has inspired so many others to step up, as he is constantly working to fight inequalities in the UK. Last month, Stormzy announced his pledge to donate £10m over ten years, which is half of his net worth, to “organisations, charities and movements that are committed to fighting racial inequality, justice reform and Black empowerment within the UK.” He has also stated that even though he is announcing this ten-year plan, it will be a lifetime commitment.

In 2018, Stormzy offered to pay for two black students to go to Cambridge University and also has a deal with Penguin to help young black authors get published in the UK.

Stormzy will be donating £10m to support causes which are commited to fighting racial inequality, justice reform and Black empowerment, over the next 10 years.

Brilliant initiative by #Stormzy.#Merky #BlackEmpowerment pic.twitter.com/0VAht2SoDJ

— Abdul Hamid Faruki (@TjpAbdul) June 11, 2020

Children in Need currently funds over 3000 charities and projects in the UK that help disadvantaged children and young people. The charity already has funds that address the specific challenges that face young black people but want this additional funding to go even further to create opportunities.

The show will be called ‘BBC Children in Need Rocks for Terry’, a charity event which will raise money for BBC Children in Need, which Sir Terry presented from the outset in 1980 until 2014. He didn’t present the show in 2015 as he was unwell.

The show will take place at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Speaking to NME, Fearne Cotton, presenter and friend of Terry Wogan said: “It has been an honour working with Sir Terry across the years on Children in Need and it’s a privilege to be hosting Rocks in celebration of his life. It’s going to be a very special evening with some great artists performing some of his favourite tracks.”

Fellow host of the show Greg James added: “It’s a privilege to host Rocks alongside Fearne. Sir Terry was, in my eyes, the ultimate broadcaster. A friend to millions on his radio show and a hero to millions more through his work with Children in Need. It’s an absolute honour to be asked to be part of the concert. It’s going to be a brilliant night.”

Earlier this year, it was rumoured that Robbie Williams would be rejoining Take That but earlier this week in light of the Apple Music Festival, he released more solo material.

Tickets for the concert can be found on the BBC’s Children in Need website and it will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and BBC One.