Barrowman, Boyzone and the cast of Hollyoaks do their bit for Children in Need

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. The time when the good old beeb (that's the BBC!) brings the best of Britain’s celebrities together to raise lots of dosh for Children in Need.

And the 2007 charity appeal night, hosted by Terry Wogan and Fearne Cotton, looks like being a real cracker. Our favorite time traveler, Captain Jack aka John Barrowman will be belting out the Elton John classic “Your Song”; the cast of Hollyoaks are set to get all glammed up for a Marc Bolan tribute; and the Spice Girls will be performing their new single "Headlines" (which, incidentally, is the official 2007 Children in Need single) “live” from L.A.

Other highlights include a special episode of Doctor Who, which sees former doctor Peter Davidson teaming up with current time lord David Tennant, as well as performances from Kylie Minogue and X-Factor winner Leona Lewis. And Boyzone, who have just announced their tour dates, will also be in the studio to perform a medley of their greatest hits.

Money raised by the Children in Need charity goes towards projects helping disadvantaged children throughout the UK. Although the BBC has been broadcasting charity appeals for children since 1927, the first televised appeal was in 1955. Then, in 1980, the appeal was broadcast on BBC1 in a new telethon format. Hosted by Terry, Sue Lawley and Esther Rantzen, the telethon was a huge success and captured the public's imagination. Donations increased dramatically and broke the one million mark for the very first time. Each year, the BBC Children in Need Appeal has gone from strength to strength and in 2006 more than £33million was raised.

Children in Need is broadcast on BBC1 from 7pm on Friday November 16. In the meantime, as a taster of what we’ve got in store, here’s a clip of John Barrowman belting out "Feelin’ Good". Now, if only Torchwood would make a musical episode like Buffy's Once More, with Feeling...