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Around the World in 80 Days
BBC1, 1/6 9:00pm - 10:00pm Tuesday 13 October

Michael Palin has a lot to answer for. He wrote the book on TV travelogues and this latest addition has the gall to steal his title. But it's in aid of Children in Need, so that's OK. Six pairs of celebrities do a leg of a round-the-world trip by any means other than by plane. We begin with comedians Frank Skinner and Lee Mack, who have eight days to cover the 2,500 miles from London to the far side of Turkey. They're prickly company, and it's clear they don't enjoy the hectic travelling much. But there's a welcome break when they drop in on the Serbian royal family at their palace. Says the polite crown princess Katherine to Skinner, "So tell me about West Bromwich..."


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radiotimes

The BBC today announced the line-up for the annual Children in Need programme which returns on Friday, November 20 on BBC One.

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, Nolan Sisters, 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.

waveguide.co.uk

Calum Best was 24 when his dad died of liver failure aged 59 in 2005. Sobbing, he tells the Children In Need documentary, out on November 11: "I wondered, did my father choose alcohol over me?"

Sun