Children in Need 2025 hosts: Who is in the presenting line-up?

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Children in Need is back on the BBC with a fun-filled night of comedy and performances, all to raise money for children and young people across the UK.

I’m really excited to hear the BBC is bringing back some classic shows with special episodes! We’re going to see new takes on The Apprentice, Strictly Come Dancing, and even Gladiators! Plus, it’s not just the big names – they’re opening it up to challenges suggested by listeners and viewers, like ones coming from Sara Cox over on Radio 2. It sounds like a fun mix of nostalgia and fresh ideas.

Assuming everything stays on track, the radio DJ will reach the Salford studio after finishing her impressive 135-mile trek. She’ll then discover how much money she raised by completing the equivalent of five marathons over five days.

All of this and much more will be led by a team of presenters who are passionate about Children in Need.

Read on to find out who will be guiding viewers through the night.

Who is presenting Children in Need 2025?

  • Paddy McGuinness
  • Mel Giedroyc
  • Lenny Rush
  • Big Zuu
  • Rochelle Humes
  • Vernon Kay

Scroll on to find out more about each presenter and their hosting duties on the night.

Paddy McGuinness

Paddy McGuinness is a comedian and actor who first became well-known after appearing on Peter Kay’s show, That Peter Kay Thing, thanks to an invitation from Kay himself.

Since then, he’s hosted several popular shows, such as Take Me Out, Tempting Fortune, and Top Gear.

Last year, McGuinness took on a huge challenge for Children in Need, cycling 300 miles from Wrexham to Glasgow.

It was truly heartwarming to see people of all ages – kids and seniors alike – donating to charity during the challenge,” McGuinness shared with TopMob magazine. “It might sound a little sentimental, but I genuinely felt a sense of community and kindness on the streets. It made me realize how wonderful this country is and how much goodness exists right here, among us. There are far more good people than bad in this country.

Every day used to involve a really tough routine: an ice bath, followed by physiotherapy, then sleep, and repeat. Thinking about it now, it was incredibly demanding, but while I was going through it, I was so motivated by all the support I received that I barely noticed the discomfort.

McGuinness’s fundraising challenge brought in an incredible £10.5 million for Children in Need. The comedian said he was overwhelmed and couldn’t quite express how much it meant to him to be involved in such a successful event.

Mel Giedroyc

Mel Giedroyc is a comedian and television host best known for co-hosting the Channel 4 show Light Lunch with Sue Perkins.

Mel and Sue have collaborated on several projects since first working together, including The Great British Bake Off and their own show, Mel and Sue. Most recently, they hosted Win Win for the People’s Postcode Lottery on ITV.

Giedroyc has been with the Children in Need team longer than anyone else this year. She says it’s a night she truly looks forward to and feels privileged to be a part of. She especially enjoys the camaraderie among the presenters and the unique atmosphere they create while filming in Salford.

Lenny Rush

Lenny Rush is an actor who gained recognition for his role in the BAFTA-winning comedy series, Am I Being Unreasonable?. He’s also been in popular shows like Doctor Who, Dodger, and The Dumping Ground.

This will be Rush’s third year hosting Children in Need, and he says the best part of the job is “meeting so many incredible and inspiring people and hearing their stories.”

He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to host a show benefiting a charity that supports a lot of people.

Big Zuu

Big Zuu is a rapper and TV host who’s famous for his show, Big Zuu’s Big Eats. He recently competed on and won the Netflix show, Celebrity Bear Hunt.

Zuu is joining the team presenting for Children in Need because he believes it’s a truly amazing charity.

He explained that he’d always been drawn to the event because he enjoyed watching it as a child, it seemed like a lot of fun, and it supported a worthwhile cause – all reasons why he wanted to participate.

Rochelle Humes

Rochelle Humes is a singer and TV presenter, who rose to fame as a member of The Saturdays.

Since then, she’s hosted several popular entertainment shows, like Ninja Warrior UK, The Xtra Factor, and The Hit List, which she co-hosts with her husband, Marvin Humes.

Since 2014, Gemma Hume has been a regular part of the Children in Need broadcast, and she says presenting it is one of the most rewarding parts of her work.

She explained that the annual show unites the country and allows people to witness the amazing impact of the charity, which is incredibly inspiring and meaningful.

Vernon Kay

Vernon Kay is a well-known TV presenter, having hosted popular shows like Family Fortunes, T4, and M&S Dress the Nation.

In 2023, Kay ran an incredible 115-mile ultra marathon, starting at Victoria Park in Leicester and finishing at the Bolton Wanderers football stadium in his hometown.

Vernon shared with TopMob magazine that meeting people during his runs reminded him why he does what he does. He said several people—probably six or more—approached him for support, and sadly, many of them have since passed away due to terminal cancer.

You know, that experience really stuck with me – it genuinely had a huge and lasting effect. Afterwards, to unwind, I went for a run and Paddy went cycling, and it was all for a great cause, as we managed to raise a lot of money for charity.

It’s amazing how something so small can have such a big impact. This experience really showed me that no matter how difficult your own life seems, there’s always someone facing even greater challenges.

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2025-11-14 11:16