BBC Children in Need returned for its 45th year, but it didn’t take long for viewers to make the same observation.

Just minutes into the live show, fans took to social media to comment on how many presenters were on stage at once.

The three-hour broadcast from MediaCityUK in Salford saw Paddy McGuinness, Mel Giedroyc, Lenny Rush, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay and Big Zuu open the show together.

One viewer joked, “There’s enough hosts on stage to start a football team,” while another said, “Does it really need five people to host the opening of the show?”

A third added, “Why so many presenters for a three-hour show?”

Despite the debate, the annual fundraiser featured strong performances from Lewis Capaldi, McFly’s Tom Fletcher and his son Buzz, and Eurovision act Remember Monday

Children in Need viewers couldn’t help but make the same observation just moments into the live 2025 show.

On Friday (November 14) stars will be joining forces for BBC Children in Need’s 2025 Appeal Show. It was back in 1980 that the first BBC Children in Need telethon was broadcast.

An impressive £1 million was raised in the first show, and since then it has raised more than £1 billion. The live three-hour broadcast from Salford will take place at 7pm on BBC One and will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

The presenting team features a number of returning hosts, including Paddy McGuinness, Mel Giedroyc, Lenny Rush, Rochelle Humes and Vernon Kay.

Bafta-winning TV presenter, chef and rapper Big Zuu is also making his first appearance in the line-up.

Throughout the show viewers will be able to watch performances from Lewis Capaldi and Eurovision contestants Remember Monday, plus sketches from popular BBC shows including Strictly Come Dancing, The Apprentice and Gladiators.

As the 2025 appeal show began, things kicked off with a The Simpsons style introduction as Media City UK, Salford welcomed the huge fundraiser.

CIN© BBC

With the presenters on stage ready to start the show, viewers made the same observation.

On X (formerly known as Twitter), @mjw_f1 wrote: “I remember the days when they only needed two presenters and it was on until 1 in the morning. Why so many presenters for a three hour show, most of which features prerecorded clips”.

@stmiddleton_1 added: “Does it really need 5 people to host the opening of the show??”.

Another viewer, @valleyboy1977 penned: “Why all these presenters for a 3 hour show”.

During the BBC show, viewers will also find out the grand total that radio star Sara Cox raised for her Great Northern Challenge after covering the distance of five marathons over five days.

At the end of her run it was confirmed her total was well over £7 million so far.