Hold on to your hats, Graham Norton fans! There's a schedule shake-up at BBC One that's going to leave a noticeable gap in your Friday night viewing. The beloved Graham Norton Show, a staple of British television for nearly two decades, is being temporarily pulled from the airwaves. But before you panic, it's for a truly fantastic reason!
Next week, instead of Graham's witty banter and A-list celebrity interviews, BBC One will be broadcasting the Children In Need 2025 fundraiser live. This star-studded event, packed with performances and heartwarming stories, aims to raise crucial funds to support disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. Think of it as trading laughs for an even bigger cause – making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.
This year's Children in Need is hosted by a dynamic team of six presenters: Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay, Paddy McGuinness, Lenny Rush, and Big Zuu. Their collective energy and passion promise a night filled with entertainment and, more importantly, a reminder of the incredible impact we can have when we come together. Last year's telethon was a monumental success, raising an astonishing £52 million, with £39.2 million pledged during the live broadcast alone. And this is the part most people miss... that figure represents a significant increase of £5.7 million compared to the total raised in 2023, showing the growing generosity of the British public.
But don't despair! While Graham will be absent from our screens next week, you can still get your fix of celebrity chat tonight! The lineup is absolutely stellar: Hollywood action hero Glen Powell, Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh, Emmy-winner Rosamund Pike, comedy king Jack Whitehall, and music megastar Ed Sheeran will all be gracing the famous red sofa. Expect hilarious anecdotes, insightful conversations, and maybe even a few surprises.
Glen Powell will be discussing his thrilling role in the upcoming action movie, The Running Man, sharing details about performing his own stunts. Michelle Yeoh is set to delight fans with stories about her role as Madame Morrible in Wicked: For Good, even revealing that she sings in the film – a departure from her usual roles! Rosamund Pike will be sharing wisdom imparted to her by none other than Tom Cruise during their time working together on Jack Reacher. And Jack Whitehall will be diving into his role in the thriller series Mallice. If that wasn't enough, Ed Sheeran will be performing his brand-new song, "Camera," and then joining Graham for a chat about his music and his latest album.
Graham will make his triumphant return to BBC One on November 21st, bringing with him another dazzling array of guests. Joining him will be the young music sensation sombr, The Greatest Showman's Hugh Jackman, the ever-charming Kate Hudson, Tropic Thunder's Ben Stiller, and Oscar winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph. That's quite the lineup to look forward to!
So, mark your calendars! BBC Children In Need airs on BBC One on November 14th at 7 pm. And The Graham Norton Show will be back on November 21st.
But here's where it gets controversial... some critics argue that while Children in Need is a worthy cause, these schedule interruptions disrupt regular programming and can be frustrating for viewers. Others argue that the cause is far more important than a single episode of a talk show. What do you think? Is it a fair trade-off? Or should BBC find alternative ways to support Children in Need without disrupting popular shows? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
