TERRY WOGAN HAS pulled out of tonight’s BBC Children in Need fundraiser for health reasons.
It’s the first time the Limerick-born broadcaster will not have hosted the telethon since its launch in 1980.
The 77-year-old is having a procedure on his back and is pulling out on doctor’s advice, according to the BBC. He said he would miss the “wonderful, inspiring evening” but would still be watching, cheering “and donating”.
Tess Daly, Rochelle Humes, Nick Grimshaw and Fearne Cotton will helm this evening’s fundraiser, and the BBC says a replacement for Wogan will be announced later.
Here’s Terry’s full statement:
“So, here we are on the 36th edition of Children in Need, every one of which I’ve been proud to present since it started in 1980, and for the first time, I won’t be there, to cheer you on with word and gesture to another record-breaking year.
“The show will go on, bigger and better than ever, in the hands of my friends, Grimmy, Fearne, Rochelle and Tess.
“The British public, as always, will dig deep in their pockets and purses to help the country’s disadvantaged children, knowing that every penny will go to those who need it most.
“I’m going to miss our wonderful, inspiring evening together, but I’ll be with you, watching, cheering and donating to a magnificent cause.”
And here’s what the BBC had to say:
“We are so sorry that Terry won’t be with us tomorrow [Friday] night as we know how passionate he is about Children in Need. But we wish him a very speedy recovery and know he’ll be watching from home and enjoying the show.”
The show gets under way on BBC One from 7.30pm.
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