The BBC have actually been running this annual appeal since 1927, first on the radio and it’s first short television slot in 1956. Since 1980 the event has occupied a substantial part of the BBC’s output each third Friday in November. Terry Wogan has hosted since 1980 along with Sue Lawley, Esther Rantzen, Sue Cook, Joanna Lumley and Gaby Roslin. The shows mascot is Pudsey Bear. A large proportion of money raised is from private individuals rather than corporations, what’s great about the event is not only does it raise huge sums of money for charity but it also enables us to see well known celebrities making fools of themselves, one memorable occasion saw a lot of money being raised to persuade Joanna Lumley to strip down to her underwear. The first show on radio back in 1927 raised 1000 pounds whilst the first TV production managed to raise over a million. Latterly the events have been raising at least 20 million pounds plus each year.
UK | BBC | 1980 – continuing
