QE boys join star-studded line-up for Children in Need

For the first time in its history, the live Children in Need broadcast will come from the BBC’s Elstree studios – and 50 QE boys will be taking part.

The QE boys have been practising with 50 girls from Mill Hill County High School, all from years 7 – 9, and together will form a choir which will sing during the ‘telethon’ this Friday evening, which is being broadcast from the set of EastEnders. They have already enjoyed a visit from Pudsey Bear when QE hosted a joint choir practice with the girls (pictured). Music teacher Jennifer Brown organised a sponsored karaoke for the boys in the choir earlier in the week and raised nearly £900. The School has also raised money for this year's appeal by holding a cake sale for the staff and by selling Pudsey key rings in the School Shop. The total amount raised will be handed over by cheque on Friday at Elstree.

The choir will also be featured on the Vanessa Feltz Show on BBC London Radio 94.9 FM at 10.30am on Friday 15th November.

On the big night, the choir will be appearing on stage with celebrities including hosts Gary Barlow, Sir Terry Wogan, Tess Daly, Fearne Cotton, Zoe Ball and Nick Grimshaw.

The annual charity event has its origins in a radio broadcast in 1927, with the telethon being broadcast for the first time in 1980. It has raised over £650 million and supports more than 2,600 projects for children and young people.

Each November a number of celebrity and local events take place, reaching a climax in the live show on BBC1.

Guests this year include One Direction, Harry Hill, and the cast of Call the Midwife. Comedian Frank Skinner will open the doors to a special children’s edition of the Room 101 chat show. Other music guests will include JLS, Wet Wet Wet, Tinie Tempah, and Ellie Goulding, who will sing the official BBC Children in Need single, How Long Will I Love You?

“The boys are naturally excited at the prospect of seeing so many top performers in the flesh, but they are also delighted to have the opportunity to make a contribution to such a worthwhile cause,” said QE’s Director of Music, Kieron Howe.

The programme is broadcast on BBC1 from 7.30 – 10pm on Friday 15^th November, with the choir from QE due to appear at approximately 8.15pm.