BBC Children in Need - Tonight!

BBC Children in Need 2009 is to air it's seven-hour long live TV broadcast from BBC Television Centre tonight from 7:00pm on BBC One and BBC HD. Here's what to expect:

Sir Terry Wogan is joined by Tess Daly and Alesha Dixon for a spectacular night of fun and fundraising.

The seven-hour show will come live from BBC Television Centre and will feature some of the UK's top TV, musical and theatrical personalities and acts.

Highlights on the night include:

• Live performances by Pixie Lott, Taylor Swift, Alesha Dixon, Spandau Ballet, Madness, Harry Connick Jr, Sugababes, Stereophonics, Little Boots, Paolo Nutini, The Nolans, Westlife, Alison Moyet and Annie Lennox.

• A special edition of Lark Rise To Candleford, where Sir Terry makes a guest appearance at the village Post Office.

• A special performance from the stars of Strictly Come Dancing.

• The Dragons' Den team don hard hats and overalls to help renovate a Children in Need community centre in London.

• The cast of The One Show recreate Fame; plus a musical extravaganza from Albert Square and the cast of EastEnders.

• An exclusive preview of the Doctor Who Christmas special.

• The animals from Walk On The Wild Side star in a Children in Need special sketch.

• Contributions from the cast of Merlin, Casualty and top TV detective Poirot.

• Live performances on the night from the cast of The Bill, performing a Rat Pack classic, and Hollyoaks treating fans to a medley of Queen's greatest hits.

• Appeal messages from a host of celebrities, including Lewis Hamilton and Lady Gaga.

• Stars of the West End will be live in the studio, including Jason Donovan with the cast of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert.

• Justin Lee Collins performs a live version of a Tom Jones classic.

• Around The World In 80 Days partners, John Barrowman and Myleene Klass, duet live in the studio.

• And, of course, the BBC newsreaders perform a very, very special live performance.

The programme will also feature broadcasts from around the UK, as BBC presenters join their local communities to catch up with some energetic and creative fundraising exploits.

This year the fundraising theme is, once again, Do Something Different and all those who step up to the challenge, or pick up the phone to pledge money for the BBC Children in Need appeal, will be part of a huge community of supporters that make a huge difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

Children around the UK are living in poverty, could you help them? Please, call 0345 7 33 22 33 to donate money to Children in Need. More details can be found on the official website here. In other news: it has been confirmed that the title for the 2009 Doctor Who Christmas special (the third 2009 special) is (hightlight gap to reveal spoiler) The End of Time: Part 1.