Children In Need 2019 presenter interviews

Graham Norton, Mel Giedroyc and Tom Allen are amongst the presenting team for the BBC's Children In Need 2019 coverage.

Graham and Mel, you're back again! What is your favourite part of presenting BBC Children In Need?

Graham: It's a joy to be reunited with Mel Giedroyc and to hear the extraordinary stories of hard work and courage from all around the country.

Mel: It is the most amazing night. I love the feeling of togetherness in that studio, but also a wider feeling of everyone in the country pulling together to do something really extraordinary for young people. I can't wait to be onstage with Graham once again. He is the best fun to work with. In fact, he doesn't make it feel like work at all. It'll be lovely to see the whole gang, actually. We're all a bit like ships in the night, on the night, but we usually get to hang all together for a few minutes behind the scenery in the studio before it all kicks off, and have a slightly hysterical, whispered chinwag.

Tom, how does it feel to be asked to be a presenter this year?

Tom: Oh a huge honour. It's a terrific night of telly raising money for an awesome cause. I'm just grateful to Marvin and Rochelle for having me on the team and I promise not to mess around.

Why is BBC Children In Need so special to you?

Graham: It's one of those rare occasions when the whole country is inspired to join together to support some truly inspirational causes.

Mel: I've always loved watching it since I was a kid, and now to be part of the making of it on the night is just surreal, wonderful and makes me feel very lucky. Children In Need has become a very important thing to me.

Tom: It is a great cause but what makes Children In Need special is it brings everyone together around the country. There's a real connection between the people in the studio and the people watching at home - no matter where you are it's everyone coming together to do something positive for young people everywhere.

Do you have any stand out moments from previous years?

Mel: Taking part in the Children In Need choir was something very very special. It was a total team effort and we all worked as hard as we could to make our song the best it could be. We had a LOT of laughs along the way, and to sing live on Children In Need night and then get to number one was pretty mind-blowing.

Graham: I've always enjoyed the EastEnders musical numbers, so I can't wait to see what moves they've got in store in the Strictly special this year.

Is there anything you do in particular to prepare yourself for the evening?

Mel: Just the usual. A disco nap at 4pm. A LOT of makeup, smoke and mirrors, an invigorating dance, a very strong cup of tea, and then OFF WE GO!!!

Do you get nervous when working on a live show?

Tom: It's live???? Oh gosh no one told me this...

What advice would you give to someone who might be interested in raising money for BBC Children In Need?

Tom: Have a look at the website, work out what would be fun for you to do and get planning. You won't regret it. However much you raise it's a great reason to get together with friends and family to do something brilliant.

A huge amount of money was raised last year - do you think it's possible to do the same again?

Graham: It seems impossible, but we can but dream. After all, that's what CIN is all about.

Mel: I have great faith in the humanity of the British people. When required to do so, we can all pull together and make great things happen. So yes - YOU BET! We'll smash it I hope.

Tom: Absolutely!! People of the UK are so generous I know they'll do everything they can for this amazing charity - in fact I think they'll do better than last year!