Children in Need set to take Manchester by storm!

Ever since I was a kid, Children In Need has always been one of those big TV events of the year that I really, really looked forward to.

That steady reliability as the autumn months rolled round, the accompanying charity single release, and of course the massive telethon on the night itself too.

There's something magic about it and the way it captures the public goodwill is truly heartwarming.

This year's show has something extra thrown into the mix - a big one-off pop gig! Taking place at Manchester's MEN Arena on the 17th November, the whole thing will be shown on BBC1 at 8pm.

The line-up is as follows:

Michael Buble 

Coldplay

Elbow

JLS

Lady Gaga

Hugh Laurie

James Morrison

N Dubz

Snow Patrol

Ed Sheeran

Tickets go on sale at 9am this Friday (16th September)

Gary Barlow, who's helping to put together this year's Children in Need charity single, had this to say: “I’m so thrilled that these incredible artists are giving their time for such a special charity that is very close to my heart. I can’t wait to see it all come together on November 17th, there are still some great acts we're keeping up our sleeve to announce in the coming weeks and who knows, I might even sing a little something on the night too.”

Children In Need 2011 cover Massive Attack's 'Teardrop'

Teardrops seem to be something of a flavour of the moment right now. First Coldplay enthuse about how each one is actually an immense waterfall in one of their typically mystifying pop metaphors, and now a whole host of artists are teaming up in the name of Children In Need to cover that 90s classic Teardrop, by Massive Attack.

So, who's on this year's CIN track? Ok, deep breath... Chipmunk, Dot Rotten, Ed Sheeran, Ms Dynamite,
 Mz Bratt, Rizzle Kicks, Tinchy Stryder,
Tulisa and Wretch 32

And breath! There's an X Factor judge in there, the current UK Number One holder - basically a real who's who of happening stars. And they've all been put together by that unparalleled saint of British music, Gary Barlow. Surely it's only a matter of time before this guy gets knighted, right?

I love the above shot of some of the artists together too - it's like Gary is their cool uncle or something.

Considering some of the previous CIN tracks, Teardrop is a relatively 'arty' choice and I reckon this new cover could potentially by very, very good indeed. It's one of those truly euphoric tracks that speaks out to everyone, a fitting selection for a cause such as this.

Teardrop is released on the 13th November.

Jo Birchall - Wonderful

When it comes to dealing a card from the deck of life, you don't get much better than Mr Gary Barlow - surely as close to British pop royalty as you get these days.

And so the story began for aspiring young songstress Jo Birchall. Under the guidance of good ol' Gary, Jo also toured with Westlife and appeared on shows like Children In Need - so far it's sounding like a silver-studded ride right to the top, right?

But sadly, a series of unfortunate events led to Jo's career faltering before it had truly started. Through no fault of her own, the dream was put on ice, for the time being at least. With Gary Barlow off on his jaunts with the newly reformed Take That, it was time for Jo to go it alone.

Reinvigorated by the assorted setbacks, she set about recording her debut album Something To Say, intent on putting together a collection of 'real songs with real meanings and experiences'. Music wrote straight from the heart.

Lead single Wonderful is every bit the cheery, one-with-yourself ditty you'd expect then of someone so clearly determined and radiant in the face of everything - as light and as airy as a sea breeze, but with that inner heart of true emotion.

The likes of Wonderland and Taylor Swift have cornered the market on this kind of inoffensive, radiant pop of late - plenty of space then for Jo Birchall to add herself into the mix then.

Frolicking away in a floral dress to a backdrop of coastal scenes, Wonderful's video feels as quintessentially English as Birchall herself - there's a Richard Curtis movie plot in here somewhere, and Birchall is ready to step it up to the next scene.

Wonderful is released on the 21st August.