Artist performances

• Alesha Dixon opened the show with a performance of her single "The Boy Does Nothing", accompanied by the dancers from Strictly Come Dancing
• Peter Kay premièred the official single for Children in Need 2009, titled "The Official BBC Children in Need Medley".
• The X Factor 2008 runners-up JLS performed "Everybody in Love"
• John Barrowman performed a cover version of "Old Time Rock and Roll" in his boxers which he then signed and auctioned with all proceeds going to the cause.
• Taylor Swift performed "Love Story" before donating £13,000 towards the cause
• Westlife performed a cover version of "What About Now"
• Pixie Lott opened the second half of the show by performing her song "Boys and Girls"
• Justin Lee Collins performed a cover version of "Delilah"
• Gray O'Brien performed All I Care About from the musical Chicago
• Alesha Dixon performed "To Love Again"
• Harry Connick, Jr. performed "Just The Way You Are"
• David Gray and Annie Lennox performed a duet of Gray's upcoming single Full Steam
• Spandau Ballet performed their song "True"
• Madness performed a cover version of "It Must Be Love"
• Peter André performed "Unconditional"
• Paolo Nutini performed "Pencil Full of Lead" from Glasgow
• The Nolans performed a medley of songs including "Holding Out for a Hero", "It's Raining Men" and "I'm In the Mood for Dancing"
• Sugababes performed "About a Girl" from Belfast
• Paloma Faith performed "Stone Cold Sober"
• Stereophonics performed "Innocent" from Cardiff
• Ronan Keating performed "Homeward Bound" from Belfast
• Highlights from Belfast were shown, including Escala, Tinchy Stryder and N-Dubz
• Highlights from Cardiff were shown, including Bonnie Tyler and Only Men Aloud!
• Alison Moyet performed "Love Letters"
• Little Boots performed "Remedy" from Glasgow
• Robbie Williams performed "Bodies" and "You Know Me" from Reality Killed The Video Star

Cast performances

• The cast of Hollyoaks performed a Queen tribute
• The presenters and reporters from The One Show performed a Fame tribute
• The cast of The Bill performed "Mack the Knife"
• The cast of EastEnders performed a Motown tribute, which was shown twice during the broadcast. The tribute included covers of "Dancing in the Street", "Get Ready", "ABC" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
• Carol Vorderman performed a Pop-rap tribute, which was shown twice during the broadcast. The tribute included covers of "Me Myself and I", "Doin' the Do", "Gone Till November" and "Last Night"
• Four female BBC Newsreaders (Sophie Raworth, Fiona Bruce, Susanna Reid and Kate Silverton) performed a medley of Beyoncé Knowles songs including "Crazy in Love" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". They were then joined by four male newsreaders (Charlie Stayt, Ben Brown, Bill Turnbull and Nicholas Owen) for a dance off against Diversity. During the second half of the television broadcast a behind the scenes video was shown of the rehearsals before a repeat of the dance itself
• The cast of Legally Blonde performed a selection of songs from the musical
• The cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical performed a selection of songs from the musical
• The cast of Jersey Boys performed a selection of songs from the musical
• The cast of Avenue Q performed a special version of "The Money Song" from the musical

Others

Celebrity Mastermind

During the break for the BBC News at Ten on BBC One, BBC Two broadcast a special edition of Mastermind with comedians Lucy Porter, Mark Watson, Dave Spikey and Stephen K. Amos as contestants. Lucy Porter was the eventual winner, with a Celebrity Mastermind record score of 35 points.

Around the World in 80 Days

As a prequel to the main televised event, a weekly television series began airing on 13 October 2009, where various celebrities attempted to travel around the world in 80 days without using air travel.

Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall

Held on 12 November, Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall was an evening of live music in London's Royal Albert Hall, organised by Gary Barlow. The concert included sets by Sir Paul McCartney, Cheryl Cole, Katherine Jenkins, Julian Lloyd Webber, Leona Lewis, Robbie Williams, Lily Allen, MIKA, Dizzee Rascal, Muse, Dame Shirley Bassey, Snow Patrol and Take That, and was hosted by Chris Moyles.^[2] The event raised over two million pounds for the campaign. The event climaxed with all the artists collaborating onstage to perform "Hey Jude", by The Beatles.

Pudsey Bear lights up the BT Tower

Pudsey appeared at the top of the BT Tower^[4] in London on a giant 360-degree LED display.^[5] Pudsey popped up every half-hour, (between 07.00 - midnight) on 19 and 20 November.