Children In Need

Subterms

    Latest story

    225 Shares

    Pudsey Bear unmasked as secret smoker after being caught having a fag while filming Children In Need special

    by

    CHILDREN in Need mascot Pudsey Bear has been hiding a dirty secret for almost 40 years — he is a smoker.He was seen having a cheeky fag by Richard Osman during a break from filming Pointless.Pudsey bear has been outed as a smokerThe Children In Need mascot was seen having a cheeky fag by Richard Osman, right, pictured with Pointless co-host Alexander ArmstrongCredit: BBCSpeaking on his Rest Of Entertainment podcast, Richard said: “One of my favourite moments in telly, I never took a photo of it.“Out the back of the studio in Elstree, we were doing a Children In Need Pointless, Pudsey Bear, head under his arm, smoking.“I thought, ‘Oh man.’ You could ruin some childhoods there. As long as there are no seven-year-old’s listening to this.”Pudsey Bear – created by designer Joanna Lane and named after the West Yorkshire town where she was born – was created in 1985.READ MORE CELEB NEWSHe is described as a “symbol of hope and generosity, capturing the hearts of generations”.On the official BBC website, Pudsey’s biography states his favourite colour is yellow, and he has a best friend called Blush the brown bear.Under his likes, it states: “Meeting new people, dancing, eating tasty snacks (particularly baked treats), dressing-up, playing games and helping the people who need him most.”Strangely, “smoking” does not feature.”Most read in Celebrity ‘He got me’ – Infamous Hulk Hogan myth dupes TV host Richard Osman More

    More stories

    • 200 Shares

      in entertainment and celebrities

      Vernon Kay gives shocking health update after ultra-marathon and says he’s taking a cocktail of painkillers

      by

      RADIO and TV presenter Vernon Kay says his body is battered after running 116miles to raise over £4.3million for BBC Children in Need — but reckons fan support kept him going.After reaching his four-day ultra marathon finishing line yesterday, the 49-year-old Radio 2 star confessed: “I’m on so many painkillers I’d keel over if I had a pint.”
      DJ Vernon Kay crosses the finish line after running 116 miles in four daysCredit: Instagram
      Vernon said: ‘We have raised £1million a day. Never in a million years did I ever expect that’Credit: instagram
      Thousands of fans cheered Vernon along the way in his fundraising for Children In NeedCredit: BBC
      Around 400 people, including his mum and dad, cheered him into the Bolton Wanderers football stadium in his home town as he completed the feat. But he had to settle for a phone call from wife Tess Daley, who is in Blackpool to host the Strictly Come Dancing show.
      Vernon said: “We have raised £1million a day. Never in a million years did I ever expect that. Physically, I am shot. Both big toenails are coming off.
      “My right Achilles is swollen and my right knee is wonky. I never want to look at my sports watch again.”
      Vernon started the challenge in Leicester on Tuesday. Thousands of fans cheered him along the way and he revealed: “In my phone I have 57 playlists and I have not listened to one song. People got me through. A man walking his dog said to me, ‘You said something on the radio when you started. I was in a really dark place and you managed to give my son his dad back.’
      READ MORE ON VERNON KAY
      “I am on the top of Kinder, I am freezing, I can’t see more than 20 feet in front of me and I have just realised that me being on the radio means so much to this man. That gives you a boost.
      “There was a lady who stopped by the side of the road. She said: ‘Two weeks ago I lost my husband and I’ve just been told I’ve got terminal cancer.’
      “Then we had a lady who had just lost her baby. She threw her arms around me and was crying in my arms. All these special stories pushed me along.”
      The trek saw Vernon run through Leicester and Derby before going through the Peak District, Stockport and on to Manchester and Bolton.
      Most read in Celebrity
      But he told The Sun he struggled after the hike up the Peak District’s Kinder Scout — 636 metres (2086ft) up.
      He said: “We really hit the wall. I just couldn’t get any positivity. I said: ‘Can we stop here, spend the day in bed and maybe start at midnight Thursday?’
      “They said: ‘That’s not going to happen.’”
       You can still donate to Vernon’s challenge at bbc.co.uk/vernon

      Vernon gets cheered on by pupils at his former schoolCredit: BBC
      Vernon started the challenge in Leicester on TuesdayCredit: Tracey Welch BBC
      The trek saw Vernon run through Leicester and Derby before going through the Peak District, Stockport and on to Manchester and BoltonCredit: INSTAGRAM More

    • 100 Shares

      in entertainment and celebrities

      Why does Pudsey Bear have an eye patch?

      by

      CHILDREN In Need is returning and Pudsey Bear is due to be there as well.However, some have wondered why the charity’s mascot wears an eye patch – here’s what you need to know.
      Children In Need is on FridayCredit: PA
      How old is Pudsey Bear? 
      Pudsey Bear was first introduced in 1985 and has been a staple of the Children in Need brand ever since.
      He was created by BBC designer Joanna Ball who took his name from her home town in Yorkshire.
      The BBC asked Joanna to create a logo to attract more interest in the charity and now Pudsey has become an iconic part.
      “It was like a lightbulb moment for me,’ Joanna told the BBC. “We were bouncing ideas off each other and I latched on to this idea of a teddy bear.
      “I had a whole story playing out in my head for this bear, I went to the production team and said, “we need to name it”. So they turned around and said “if you think it’s important to name him, you do it”.
      “It came from the heart – I looked to my own experience and named him in honour of my home town and my grandparents.”
      Read More on Pudsey Bear
      Joanna was born in a town in West Yorkshire called Pudsey, which is why she chose the name for the bear.
      Her grandfather, Irvine Ball was the mayor of Pudsey in 1950, and was very fond of the small town which gave her the idea to name the bear after her birthplace.
      Most read in Showbiz
      Sir Terry Wogan introduced Pudsey to the world in 1985 and from 1986 the bear was the official logo of Children In Need.
      Pudsey has gone on to become hugely popular with generations of children and has raised more than £1 billion.
      The money has gone towards helping to fund thousands of charity and community projects over the years.
      latest on children in need
      Why does Pudsey Bear have an eye patch?
      The reason why Pudsey wears the eye patch has never really been explained.
      But, some people assume the patch is to make Pudsey seem more “in need” himself, and therefore more relatable to the children the charity works for.
      Pudsey was originally brown with a red bandage on his head and his buttons spelt out BBC down his front, but he has changed over the years.
      Nowadays, he has the famous yellow fur and a multi-coloured polka-dot bandage across his face.
      Pudsey now often appears on merchandise that is sold to raise money for the charity.
      Those who want to donate to the cause can buy Pudsey ears, teddies and badges. More

    • 288 Shares

      in entertainment and celebrities

      Vernon Kay exhausted as he starts heroic final leg of Ultramarathon after just hours of sleep – but the end is in sight

      by

      VERNON Kay looked exhausted as he started his heroic final leg of his Children In Need Ultramarathon. The Radio 2 star, 49, was seen embarking on the last part of the route in the early hours of Friday morning.
      Vernon Kay kicked off his final leg of his Ultramarathon in the early hours of Friday morningCredit: Instagram
      The Radio 2 star is set to complete the challenge todayCredit: Instagram
      At around 6.30am, Vernon kicked off his final leg to Bolton, which was met with supportive chants from his team saying: “You’ve got this Vernon, bring it home.”
      The TV presenter is set to complete the challenge today.
      The official Radio 2 Instagram page shared the clip and captioned it: “It may be very early but he’s off and on his way to Bolton.”
      Many fans have raced to share supportive messages, with one writing: “Wow go go Vernon. Been listening over the last three days… tears in my eyes. What an incredible effort helped along by thousands & thousands of generous listeners. You’ve got this V!”
      READ MORE ON VERNON KAY
      Another posted: “Knighthood for Vernon please, he deserves it.”
      A third said: “Oh bless him soooo early! Go on Vernon. Think of the lovely hot bath and lie in tomorrow morning! You’ve been a true hero and inspiration to the nation. I’ve been in tears with you this week! Good luck for your last day!”
      On Thursday, Vernon got a hero’s welcome as he headed into the final leg of his 40 mile day which marked the end of the hilliest part of his 110 mile route.
      Speaking on the move, Vernon said he’d been handed Bakewell tarts to fuel his journey, adding: “We’ve got several, we’re saving then until later.
      Most read in Celebrity
      “A lovely lady just handed me a flask of hot vegetable soup
      “I don’t know how I’ll get it back to her.”
      Vernon is fighting through pain to complete the epic challenge, admitting: “The left leg’s been alright it’s the right leg that has been playing up.”
      He will go straight into an ice bath when he finishes up this evening ahead of the third leg of his journey which will see him making his way to Manchester tomorrow.
      Yesterday Vernon spoke to his Radio 2 co-host Zoe Ball and admitted he had struggled to get a good night’s kip ahead of the run yesterday.
      He said: “It was on and off the sleep. I woke up at half past five in pain, I was sleeping wonky on the dodgy hip.”
      Fans can donate to his fundraiser for Children In Need at www.bbc.co.uk/vernon.
      Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk More

    • 213 Shares

      in entertainment and celebrities

      Vernon Kay breaks down in tears reading letter from isolated fan during Children in Need Ultramarathon challenge

      by

      VERNON Kay broke down in tears as he received a heartfelt message from a radio listener spurring him through his ultramarathon challenge.The broadcaster, 49, is pushing his body to the limit for Children in Need by running a staggering 115 miles.
      Vernon Kay sobbed after receiving a message from a listenerCredit: RADIO 2
      Richie Anderson surprised him live on airCredit: RADIO 2
      The epic fundraiser ends today in his hometown of Bolton.
      Prior to the last leg of his journey, Radio 2’s Richie Anderson surprised him with a message from an isolated listener.
      The voice note began: “Hello Vernon it’s Barbara. Now, I just wanted to send you lots and lots of encouragement on running your ultra, ultramarathon. Wow.”
      At this point, Vernon, who was sitting in his neon running gear, raised his hand to his face and sobbed.
      READ MORE ON VERNON KAY
      Barbara continued: “But I know you can do it. Now, if it gets tough just think of all the smiling faces of the children you’re helping. I am so proud of you. Now, I wish I could be there to cheer you on but I shall be there in spirit. So just lift up those feet and keep going. I am sending you lots of hugs, take care.”
      Richie asked visibly upset Vernon if he was OK, to which he replied: “No. But let me explain. That’s Barbara who wrote me a letter after I had been on air for a month and she said, ‘thank you for bringing an old lady into the light’. It has had a massive effect on me that letter. That’s probably one of the most heartfelt letters anyone could ever write.
      “Barbara represents so many people in Great Britain who feel like they’re either homebound or just a little bit trapped. When she wrote that letter… all we do on the radio is talk and we try and relate to people. God bless you Barbara, thank you very much for your message it means a lot.”
      Vernon, who took over from radio legend Ken Bruce earlier this year, been battling knee pain and fatigue during the challenge.
      Most read in Celebrity
      He revealed he had a tight IT band – the tissue that runs the length of the outside of the leg – earlier in the week.
      He previously told radio co-star Zoe Ball: “It was on and off the sleep. I woke up at half past five in pain, I was sleeping wonky on the dodgy hip.”
      Vernon has run 115 miles for charityCredit: RADIO 2 More

    • 75 Shares

      in entertainment and celebrities

      What is the girl Pudsey called?

      by

      PUDSEY bear is the much-loved mascot of Children In Need charity – but for the last few years, he’s also been joined by a rosy-cheeked female companion.The female version of Pudsey was revealed in 2009 but is yet to receive the level of recognition as the iconic yellow bear.
      Blush was introduced in 2009 as a friend for the charity’s character Pudsey Bear, in a bid to increase sales.
      What is the girl Pudsey called? 
      The female Children in Need bear is called Blush.
      The BBC Children in Need website revealed that Blush has pink cheeks and appears to act coy as she is “quite shy as she’s not used to the attention that Pudsey gets”.
      Blush merchandise is available to buy on the BBC Children in Need website, in the form of wearable ears for children.
      Highstreet favourite bakery Greggs has also brought out a range of Blush-shaped ginger biscuits for the fundraiser, alongside caramel-flavoured Pudsey Biscuit.
      Both bears are also at Greggs available in “novelty bun” form.
      When was Blush Bear introduced?
      In 2009, Children in Need added Blush to their collection.
      Although still around today, Blush doesn’t yet have quite the character development as the original Pudsey Bear who was first introduced to the public in 1985, by Sir Terry Wogan.
      Pudsey originally sported brown fur.
      Most read in Showbiz
      A range of Blush bear-themed children’s pyjamas are available this year at George at Asda, although at the time of writing, stocks were low.
      The Asda website reads that “A minimum of 20% of the price of this product will benefit BBC Children in Need”.
      Read More on Pudsey Bear
      Is she Pudsey Bear’s girlfriend?
      In short, no, Blush is not pitched as Pudsey’s girlfriend.
      Contrary to assumptions, there’s no romance between the two bears — Blush Bear was introduced as a friend for the fundraising drive’s long-standing and beloved mascot, Pudsey Bear.
      The charity said it created Blush in hopes of increasing its sales and possibly attracting new corporate partners. 
      latest on children in need
      When is Children in Need 2023 on TV?
      Children In Need will take place on Friday, November 17, 2023.
      The long-running charity show will air on BBC one and BBC two.
      This year will mark the 43rd year of the TV appeal, that raises money for children and young people around the UK.
      Vernon Kay will running an ultramarathon to bring in much-needed cash for the cause.
      Read More on The Sun
      The programme is scheduled to run from 7 pm until 10 pm. More