Tom and Buzz Fletcher to perform for the first time on TV together during BBC Children in Need’s 2025 Appeal show

admin-cdn4 hours ago

0 0 3 minutes read

Tom and Buzz Fletcher to perform for the first time on TV together during BBC Children in Need’s 2025 Appeal show

In an exciting, exclusive performance audiences will be able to watch McFly’s Tom Fletcher, perform for the first time ever alongside his 11 year old son, Buzz during BBC Children in Need’s 2025 Appeal Show on Friday 14 November. The duo will be accompanied by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra as they perform Thread of Hope together.

The song was written by Tom Fletcher especially for Pudsey and the Thread of Hope – a new 25-minute animated film for CBeebies, coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this December. The film focuses on themes of connection and togetherness, with the aim of bringing people closer. It is hoped that audiences will experience this too – creating special moments for families to come together, watch, and enjoy.

BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show with Scott Mills (06:30-09:30am weekdays) will give the song its first play at 8am on Thursday 13 November, followed by a sneak preview of the animation on BBC Breakfast at 8.30am, when Tom and Buzz join the sofa to chat ahead of their performance. Then, on Friday evening, alongside their live performance, an exclusive clip of the animation will air during the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show.

Pudsey and the Thread of Hope, is a story by Tom Fletcher, which follows Jai, a young boy navigating grief after the loss of his father, as he embarks on a journey of healing, hope and adventure with Pudsey. Along the way, they meet other children connected by a golden thread of kindness and empowerment, discovering the transformative power of friendship, courage and love. The story highlights the power of having positive and trusted relationships in young people’s lives, and the transformative impact these can have. BBC Children in Need’s work helps to ensure all children across the UK have relationships like these when they need them.

Tom Fletcher comments: “When I was invited to perform a song from the animation with my son for the very first time, I knew it was a truly special opportunity. Sharing that moment together will be so incredibly meaningful, especially as it celebrates Pudsey’s 40-year legacy. Across the UK, children and young people are facing challenges that no one should face alone. Everyone needs a thread of hope, and I hope that through this performance – as well as the animation and book – we can raise vital funds and awareness to ensure children have the support, care, and connection they need when it matters most.”

Buzz Fletcher says: “I am so excited to be performing alongside my dad for the first time on TV, I have seen how incredibly hard my dad has worked on the animation and book, so feel really proud to be standing beside him for such a brilliant cause.”

The song and animation are also accompanied by a paperback picture book of the same name, also by Tom Fletcher, published by Puffin, and all three celebrate 40 years of Pudsey’s legacy and the vital work of BBC Children in Need. To find out more, visit bbc.co.uk/pudseythread.

Puffin and Tom Fletcher are proud to give £1 for every paperback copy sold in the UK and Ireland to BBC Children in Need (registered charity number 802052 in England and Wales and SC039557 in Scotland).

BBC Children in Need believes every child should have the opportunity to thrive. That means having someone to turn to for help and support when life gets tough. Across the UK, the charity funds people and places in communities so that no child faces challenges alone. Right now, too many children are struggling without support – making the message of Pudsey and the Thread of Hope more timely and poignant than ever.

Pudsey and the Thread of Hope, animated special is co-commissioned by CBeebies and BBC Children in Need and produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family and animation studio Creative Conspiracy.