Friday November 16th 2018

Screen grab off the Chris Evans Show Facebook Page

It's not often I cry, but this morning listening to the radio made me quite emotional. Since 1980, the BBC's Children in Need charity has been a fixture of a mid November Friday's. I well remember Sir Terry Wogan auctioning 'things money can't buy'. Chris Evans took over the breakfast show 12 years ago and developed the Radio 2 offering using his unique drive and contacts. I've been listening all week. The child with Chris is Max, a sufferer of brittle bones and he has just surprised Chris in the studio, as Chris thought Max was just on the phone to say hello, as he headed off to school. A heartfelt moment as Chris Evans burst into tears on air and couldn't say anything. As did I. 

There are times when the radio really does punch way above it's weight.  There was another moment driving into work when Chris narrated how Sir Tom Hunter a long time supporter to the charity had donated £1million for a pair of tickets to see Michael Buble at the Dine and Disco next year. It turns out this guaranteed £1million swung the deal and after rearranging Michael's entire year of concerts in 2019, including switching continents, it's on for the summer. 

By the end of this morning’s programme they had raised £9,232,830 for Children in Need 2018, which is expected to rise as other auction items remain open to bid for. In the 12 years Chris and his team have run the breakfast show they have raised £44 million for Children in Need. Chris is leaving the show at Christmas.  I loved Terry Wogan on the radio, but I have to say, Chris as a broadcaster is up there for me. Today was a warm start to the day, we need more upbeat in the cold cynical fragmenting world we seem to live in. I shall remember this morning, crying along with the story.