Children in Need, the BBC’s telethon in aid of disadvantaged and vulnerable children in the United Kingdom, have announced a special charity album. And a galaxy of Doctor Who stars are stepping up to the mike!
Every year, Children in Need makes heroic efforts to make life better for the children of the UK. Traditionally, there’s a special Children in Need single. But ahead of this year’s telethon in November, they will be trying something a little bit different. BBC Children in Need: Got It Covered involves some of the UK’s biggest names from stage and screen. And they’ve banded together to produce an entire album of cover songs. All whilst helping to make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK.
Appropriately enough, two Time Lords are leading the way to save the day. The Doctor herself, Jodie Whittaker, is one of those who’ll be recording a song of special importance to her for the album. And also joining her on the team will be one of the Doctor’s previous faces. For David Tennant will be performing a song that inspired him for the event too. They won’t be the only stars from the world of Doctor Who taking part, though. Suranne Jones (Idris/The TARDIS in The Doctor’s Wife), Shaun Dooley (Epzo in The Ghost Monument) and Olivia Colman (Prisoner Zero in The Eleventh Hour) are all part of the lineup too.
Recording and filming has already begun at Abbey Road this week
The album is being recorded at both the iconic Abbey Road Studios and legendary RAK Studios. Mark De-Lisser will be on hand as a vocal coach to help the less experienced celebrities through their performances. And meanwhile award-winning record producers and songwriters Guy Chambers and Jonathan Quarmby will be lending a guiding hand. The whole process is being filmed for a supporting hour long television special for broadcast as part of Children in Need. The special will capture all of the chaos and fun of the day. But more importantly, it will highlight Children in Need’s work. With celebrities such as Whittaker and Tennant visiting some of the projects supported by the charity.
The project has been spearheaded by Doctor Who’s own Shaun Dooley, alongside 20four7films Executive Producer Polly Dooley. Polly Dooley described them as “immensely proud” to be working on the album and praised “the unbelievably generous outpouring of goodwill from all involved.” Writing on Twitter, her husband Shaun said he was “excited and humbled.” He also teased a “mind blowing thing that happened at the end of the [Abbey Road] shoot!”
The programme will be broadcast on BBC One ahead of the annual BBC Children in Need Appeal show. The album, in aid of BBC Children in Need, will be released in conjunction with Silva Screen Records. It will be released later in the year.
BBC Children in Need: Got It Covered can already be pre-ordered from Amazon, HMV and the official Children in Need shop.
