Mark Curry and Amy Dowden win Children In Need Strictly

Three iconic series were combined on Friday night, when the former Blue Peter presenters came together to compete in a Strictly Come Dancing special for Children in Need. 

Konnie Huq and Neil Jones competed against Radzi Chinyanganya and Chloe Hewitt, joined by Tim Vincent who was paired with Dianne Buswell,  Diane-Louise Jordan and Pasha Kovalev, as well as Mark Curry, who landed the Pudsey Glitterball Trophy Award with Amy Dowden.

But Anthea certainly gave them a run for their money, after Brendan Cole flipped her upside down on top of the judging panel, in a risky move that left the judges awe-struck.  

 

Three in one! Three iconic series were combined on Friday night, when the former Blue Peter presenters came together to compete in a Strictly Come Dancing special for Children in Need

Performing the jive with just two weeks’ practice, the couples took to the floor in purple themed ensemble, putting on an impressive performance.

And following their performance, panelists Craig Revel-Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli praised the dancers, who only had two weeks to prepare. 

‘Your kicks and flicks were sharp’, Bruno exclaimed, continuing: ‘But you’re brave to do it on our desk- it’s stuck together by plastic!’ he added.

Cheeky! Mark Curry landed the Pudsey Glitterball Trophy Award with Amy Dowden but Anthea Turner (pictured) certainly gave them a run for their money, after Brendan Cole flipped her upside down on top of the judging panel

Cheeky! Mark Curry landed the Pudsey Glitterball Trophy Award with Amy Dowden but Anthea Turner (pictured) certainly gave them a run for their money, after Brendan Cole flipped her upside down on top of the judging panel

Talented! Performing the jive with just two weeks' practice, the couples took to the floor in purple themed ensemble, putting on an impressive performance

Talented! Performing the jive with just two weeks’ practice, the couples took to the floor in purple themed ensemble, putting on an impressive performance

Being friendly today! Panelists Craig Revel-Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli praised the dancers, who only had two weeks to prepare

Being friendly today! Panelists Craig Revel-Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli praised the dancers, who only had two weeks to prepare

After conferring for a few minutes, the judges named Mark and Amy the winners, admitting it was a hard choice.

‘It was a tough call!’ Shirley admitted as the duo were awarded the trophy by Tess and Claudia. 

Earlier in the night Tess Daly didn’t disappoint as she took to the screens to host Children in Need 2017 alongside Ade Adepitan on Friday night.

The TV presenter, 48, stunned in a metallic gown as she opened the show alongside and the dapper wheelchair basketball player, 44, on BBC1.

'Your kicks and flicks were sharp', Bruno exclaimed, continuing: 'But you're brave to do it on our desk- it's stuck together by plastic!' he added

‘Your kicks and flicks were sharp’, Bruno exclaimed, continuing: ‘But you’re brave to do it on our desk- it’s stuck together by plastic!’ he added

Good job! Performing the jive with just two weeks' practice, the couples took to the floor in purple themed ensemble, putting on an impressive performance

Good job! Performing the jive with just two weeks’ practice, the couples took to the floor in purple themed ensemble, putting on an impressive performance

Tough: After conferring for a few minutes, the judges named Mark and Amy the winners, admitting it was a hard choice

Tough: After conferring for a few minutes, the judges named Mark and Amy the winners, admitting it was a hard choice

Slipping her slender physique into the figure-skimming piece, she showed off a glimpse of her endless pins, elongated by a pair of nude killer heels.

Meanwhile Ade, who admitted the charity was particularly personal to him, looked dapper in a crisp shirt and suit and tie, as the youthful duo introduced the  lengthy show.

Graham Norton, former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc and Rochelle and Marvin Humes also joined to host the show.

'It was a tough call!' Shirley admitted as the judges named Mark and Amy the winners

‘It was a tough call!’ Shirley admitted as the judges named Mark and Amy the winners

Winners! Amy Dowden (L) and Mark Curry, winners of the Strictly Special for BBC Children in Need 2017

Winners! Amy Dowden (L) and Mark Curry, winners of the Strictly Special for BBC Children in Need 2017

Glam factor! Tess Daley didn't disappoint as she took to the screens to host Children in Need 2017 alongside Ade Adepitan earlier on Friday night

Glam factor! Tess Daley didn’t disappoint as she took to the screens to host Children in Need 2017 alongside Ade Adepitan earlier on Friday night

Youthful duo! The TV presenter, 48, stunned in a silver gown as she opened the show alongside and the dapper wheelchair basketball player, 44, on BBC1

Star-studded: Rochelle and Marvin Humes also joined to help host the show

Star-studded: Rochelle and Marvin Humes also joined to help host the show

As well as the glam factor, Tess injected the comedy factor by scoring Craig Revel-Horwood with a 10 following his performance from the West End hit Annie. 

Ahead of Friday’s show Kaia Gerber joined fellow models including Suki Waterhouse, Amber Le Bon and Vogue’s latest cover star Adwoa Aboah to model the charity’s designer collection of its iconic Pudsey Bear ears. 

This year, Children In Need has gone high end and enlisted the help of a slew of major fashion houses. The likes of Burberry, Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Gucci have all added their own flair to Pudsey’s ears for the annual event, while some of the fashion world’s most high profile models have been enlisted to debut them for the first time. 

Other designers getting in on the fun-loving campaign include Gigi Hadid X Tommy Hilfiger, Miu Miu, Prada and Selena Gomez X Coach, with each of their creations being auctioned off online.  

Glam! Slipping her slender physique into the figure-skimming piece, she showed off a glimpse of her endless pins, elongated by a pair of nude killer heels

Glam! Slipping her slender physique into the figure-skimming piece, she showed off a glimpse of her endless pins, elongated by a pair of nude killer heels

Uniting: Hosts Graham Norton, former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc joined the frivolities 

Uniting: Hosts Graham Norton, former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc joined the frivolities 

Beautiful! In-demand model Kaia Gerber, 16, was handpicked by BBC's Children In Need to model the charity's designer collection of its iconic Pudsey Bear ears

Beautiful! In-demand model Kaia Gerber, 16, was handpicked by BBC’s Children In Need to model the charity’s designer collection of its iconic Pudsey Bear ears

Stylish display: The 'most beautiful girl in the world', as she was dubbed when she was just six years old, Thylane Blondeau, wore the ears put together by Gigi Hadid X Tommy Hilfiger

Stylish display: The ‘most beautiful girl in the world’, as she was dubbed when she was just six years old, Thylane Blondeau, wore the ears put together by Gigi Hadid X Tommy Hilfiger

Others joining the duo had been Vogue cover star Adwoa Aboah and Neelam Gill who modelled Gucci’s design, while the ‘most beautiful girl in the world’, as she was dubbed when she was just six years old, Thylane Blondeau, wore the ears put together by Gigi Hadid X Tommy Hilfiger, as did Amber Le Bon.

The designer collection of Pudsey ears, curated by Katie Grand, will go to auction on November 9 until November 19, with all proceeds going to Children In Need – a charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged and young people in the UK.

This year’s Children In Need charity appeal will take place on November 17, airing across the BBC, with the presenting line-up fronted by Graham Norton. 

Getting involved! As was Selena Gomez who helped create a set of ears in collaboration with Coach

Getting involved! As was Selena Gomez who helped create a set of ears in collaboration with Coach

Children In Need has been broadcasting its charity appeals on the BBC since 1980, raising over £600million in donations.

Last year’s appeal show was the first not to feature Terry Wogan, as the presenter had passed away in 2016. He had presented the show for 35 years.

Donate to Children in Need online using BTMyDonate or to give £5 text TEAM to 70705 and to give £10 text TEAM to 70710.  

Star-studded lineup: Those joining him to host proceedings will be Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly, wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan, former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc and Rochelle and Marvin Humes

Star-studded lineup: Those joining him to host proceedings will be Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly, wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan, former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc and Rochelle and Marvin Humes

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