Discussions started back in Spring about how we could host Pudsey and his pals for what is one of the biggest fundraising nights of the year. Colleagues from across the museum came together to talk to the BBC production team about everything from power sockets to hotdogs.
An event of this scale also meant the BBC team had to spend two days building a studio environment in our Revolution Manchester gallery, much to the fascination of our visitors. It’s a serious job, but they still had time to make sure the cameras were suitably attired in Pudsey ears…
After months of planning, it was finally time for the big event, and BBC North West Tonight host Roger Johnson was very excited:
The calm before the #CIN storm! Worryingly all seems to be under control before a night of fun at @msimanchester – join us from 1830 on @BBCNWT @BBCOne NW. And THANK YOU for all your fundraising!???????????????????? @BBCCiN pic.twitter.com/2ey9ducuqB
— Roger Johnson (@RogerJ_01) November 17, 2017
One secret the BBC team hadn’t shared with us was what the song chosen for the Children’s Choir was going to be. It’s an iconic Children in Need moment and Roger was careful not to let the cat out of the bag:
The @BBCCiN NW choir in full voice ready to wow the nation! Song is under wraps til showtime – it’ll be poignant! #CiN@BBCNWTpic.twitter.com/lgTvXIGcGP
— Roger Johnson (@RogerJ_01) November 17, 2017
With the specially-invited visitors starting to arrive, excitement was building. Children in Need tickets aren’t available to the general public; instead, the BBC invite a mixture of charities who are helped by the funds raised and groups who raise money throughout the year.
Just your average day at work…. @BBCCiN#childreninneed2017#PudseyBear#youngcarers#Manchester@msimanchester@Bplcarers_ceopic.twitter.com/DZoExCKBia
— Blackpool Carers (@BlackpoolCarers) November 18, 2017
Members of our 1V Cricket Academy are being interviewed by @BBCNWT at the @msimanchester for @BBCCiN. #childreninneed2017pic.twitter.com/AUYwlqcash
— One Voice Blackburn (@1VoiceBlackburn) November 17, 2017
Live from @msimanchester for #pedalforpudsey @GrahamLiver @Gillylancs Thank you to all our listeners for donating nearly £38,000 if you haven’t done so then text PEDAL to 70405 @RogerJ_01 @JoPack1 @JoPack1 #lancashirehour pic.twitter.com/zmRA5YRqID
— John Gillmore (@Gillylancs) November 17, 2017
We are at the @msimanchester with @BBCCiN and of course Pudsey! @BBCNWT#childreninneed2017pic.twitter.com/CiaLQArvPF
— One Voice Blackburn (@1VoiceBlackburn) November 17, 2017
The excellent @RogerJ_01 interviewing @Gillylancs and @GrahamLiver @msimanchester @BBCCiN @BBCOne @BBCNWT @MarketingLancs @VisitLancashire @visitfyldecoast @visitBlackpool @WGBpl #lancashirehour @DewlayCheese pic.twitter.com/SdQ6qrfBAL
— Gilly Duck (@Gillys_Duck) November 17, 2017
Finally it was time for the choir to take to the stage. More than 1,500 children at 10 venues across the country form the Children’s Choir. The 10 choirs sing simultaneously on the evening, and their performances are stitched together in real time by the BBC production team to be broadcast live as one whole performance – an amazing technical feat. They sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which following on from the amazing videos showing the work of Children in Need was an incredibly poignant moment:
Very proud to have the amazing #CiN choir singing live in the museum right now #childreninneed2017 pic.twitter.com/G3k9iCVawv
— MSI Manchester (@msimanchester) November 17, 2017
Smashing it in front of millions! The North West’s @BBCCiN choir with Ariana Grande’s One Love Manchester arrangement of Somewhere over the ???? pic.twitter.com/RE8DKeh1rJ
— Roger Johnson (@RogerJ_01) November 17, 2017
#CIN2017 North West Choir live https://t.co/nfXgdhTBWs
— BBC North West (@BBCNWT) November 17, 2017
Across the UK, Children in Need viewers raised more than £50 million—the highest on-the-night total ever! We’re thrilled to have been a small part of this amazing event and can’t wait to see what next year brings.