Children In Need's Surprise Squad returns

Fundraising challenge the Surprise Squad is coming back for ‘Children in Need’.

Five stars who have benefited from the annual BBC charity appeal are giving back through taking part in a string of challenges for the second year in a row - along with ‘The One Show’ hosts Alex Jones, Jermaine Jenas and Ronan Keating - which will then be broadcast on the BBC One magazine show.

Alex said: “We’re thrilled to bits that the Surprise Squad is back again for 'BBC Children in Need' with a new troupe of incredible young people delivering very special challenges for 'BBC Children in Need' funded projects across the country.

"I just know the audience is going to be humbled and inspired by the Squad’s incredible stories and I can’t wait to share what they are getting up to!"

Jermaine added: “Times are incredibly tough for so many right now and we know that there are so many people in need of support.

"We’re all really looking forward to seeing the amazing things that the new Surprise Squad get up to this year which we know will make a real difference and I hope that our audience love watching it all too!"

The squad will include Max, a 17-year-old Diana Award recipient for his work with the family bereavement charity Penhaligon’s Friends after he lost his mother as a child.

He will be joined by Charlina, a 20-year-old aspiring paediatric nurse from Luton, who has gone through many health challenges, such as holes in the heart and a liver transplant.

Jodie, 19, from Belfast - who was born premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, scoliosis and a sight issue - is the third squad member after taking part in Monkstown Boxing, an initiative that improved her mental health.

The fourth member is Zuhair, a 17-year-old young carer from Perth - who looks after his two younger siblings Mo and Elaine after his mother was left temporarily unable to walk following a car accident - is also signed up after getting support from PKAVS, an organisation that connects young people in similar situations.

The final member is Lauren, a 19-year-old nursery worker who is in recovery from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

She lost her mother Lisa to pancreatic cancer and has benefited from support from Maggie’s, a charity supporting cancer patients after a stem cell transplant.

Watch 'The One Show' between 1 November - 17 November every evening at 7pm on BBC One to see the squad stories and find out how the surprises unfold.