Holly Hamilton joins Pudsey to catch up with all of the local fundraising, and Eamonn Holmes looks back over the last 40 years of Children In Need.

BBC Children in Need celebrates its 40th anniversary with a very special evening of live television. Hosted by Mel Giedroyc, Stephen Mangan, Alex Scott and Chris Ramsey, the show includes appearances by this year's Strictly dancers, Beverley Knight, Shawn Mendes and the cast of West End musical Six. There are comedy sketches from the casts of King Gary and The Goes Wrong Show, and we get to know the nation’s favourite bear like never before in a star-studded sketch, Pudsey Bear: Behind the Bandana. The Repair Shop team give one very special girl a surprise to treasure forever, and Alex Jones and Ade Adepitan bring us the finale of The One Show's rickshaw challenge. And some special films reveal the incredible and inspiring stories of the brave children who are supported by some of the thousands of Children in Need projects around the UK.

Alex Scott and Chris Ramsey present highlights of the annual night of fundraising for Children in Need projects across the UK.

As the show celebrates its 40th birthday, expect music performances, inspiring stories, comedy sketches and entertainment from some of the BBC’s biggest shows, including a Strictly special and the return of the Children in Need choir, and some of the UK’s biggest stars reveal the truth about the nation’s favourite bear in Pudsey Bear: Behind the Bandana.

The worlds of TV collide as stars from the BBC and ITV go head to head in this very special episode of University Challenge for Children in Need. But which celebrity team will have the knowledge to finish top of the class?

Don’t forget, donations can be made throughout the show by visiting bbc.co.uk/pudsey, Alternatively, to donate £5 text the word DONATE to 70405, to donate £10 text DONATE to 70410, to donate £20 text DONATE to 70420, or to donate £30 text DONATE to 70430

Emma Willis narrates a special film for BBC Children in Need, a powerful and uplifting portrait of how resilient children and young people can be in the face of a global crisis.

The film follows Coby, aged nine, and his sister Addison, age four, who has recently been diagnosed with Poretti-Boltshauser Syndrome, a rare disorder. Coby supports his little sister through this tough time, helping with her sign language, as they also receive some surprising news about her condition.

In Swansea, Leo (14), Lilah (13) and Zion (9) live with their grandmother Emma after their mother died five years ago. The three siblings have all been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and have other additional needs. The film captures the family’s frustration, anxiety and camaraderie as the children cope with fluctuating lockdown restrictions, and sees them receive support in the form of BBC support from projects funded by Children in Need.

Ethan, aged 12, from Hertfordshire has been diagnosed with Stargardt disease. His eyesight is deteriorating, with the real possibility that one day he will lose it completely. The film shares Ethan’s determination to overcome his challenges and make as many memories as possible while he still can see.

Beatrice, aged eight, from Greater Manchester, lost her little sister Rosalind to cancer a year ago. As Beatrice and her family headed into lockdown in March, they were already dealing with the many challenges of bereavement. Rachel, a project worker from a Children in Need-funded project at the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, has been hosting virtual play sessions with Bea to help her cope.

Presenter Ade Adepitan MBE is our guide on this funny, poignant, revealing and surprising numerical tour across four fabulous decades of Children In Need.