BBC Children in Need concerned and saddened by decision to pull charity album from the No. 1 chart race

The Got It Covered album for BBC Children in Need (released 1 November) features some of the UK’s biggest names from stage and screen who have banded together to produce covers of much-loved songs, whilst helping to make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK.

On Monday 4 November, the Official Charts Company announced that the charity album was on course to score the number one spot in the album chart by the end of this week, leading the way ahead of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at two and Michael Kiwanuka at number three. However, the album was quietly removed from the main chart yesterday (6 November).

Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need, commented: “I’m deeply saddened that the industry has chosen to pull the album from the number one race after announcing it was well on its way to securing the top spot this week. Got It Covered is the result of an inspiring collaboration by some of the UK’s biggest stars in support of disadvantaged children and young people and this very special project has clearly captured the public’s imagination. It’s sad that a charity album solely for the benefit of children should be denied the chance for further promotion and celebration which inevitably would lead to more money being raised.”

A whole host of critically-acclaimed actors had volunteered their time to play a special part in this incredibly exciting project for BBC Children in Need this year. Among them are Helena Bonham Carter CBE (The King’s Speech, Sweeney Todd), Jim Broadbent (Iris, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince), Olivia Colman CBE (The Favourite, Fleabag), Shaun Dooley (Gentleman Jack, Gunpowder), Luke Evans (Beauty And The Beast, Fast & Furious 7 & 8), Suranne Jones (Gentleman Jack, Doctor Foster), Adrian Lester OBE (Trauma, Hustle), Himesh Patel (Yesterday, EastEnders), David Tennant (Good Omens, Doctor Who) and Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Trust Me).

Each of the actors handpicked a song that is significant to them and received expert guidance from BRIT Award and Mercury award-winning record producers and songwriters Guy Chambers and Jonathan Quarmby. Renowned vocal coach Mark De-Lisser assisted the actors with producing their tracks. The album – released on Silva Screen Records – was recorded as part of the 90-minute entertainment documentary, BBC Children in Need: Got It Covered, which was co-produced by BBC Studios and 20four7films and aired on BBC One last Wednesday. The entertainment documentary is currently available to view on BBC iPlayer here and will be repeated on BBC One after the 2019 Appeal show at 12.30am on Saturday 16 November 2019.

The album is available to purchase on the BBC Children in Need website here.  All profits from the album will go to BBC Children in Need, with a minimum of £1.50 per album (charity number 802052 in England & Wales and SC039557 in Scotland).

~ENDS~

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Notes to Editors

About BBC Children in Need

BBC Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential. The charity will realise this vision by supporting, promoting and publicising work that addresses the challenges that children and young people face and work that builds their skills and resilience.

BBC Children in Need is currently supporting over 3,000 local charities and projects in communities across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages such as living in poverty, being disabled or ill, or experiencing distress, neglect or trauma.

Further information on BBC Children in Need can be found at bbc.co.uk/Pudsey

About BBC Studios Production 

BBC Studios Production makes around 2000 hours of content annually for the BBC and other UK and international broadcasters and received 79 awards and over 300 nominations over the past year, making it the most awarded producer in the UK.  Spanning drama, comedy, factual, factual entertainment, entertainment, music and events, its award-winning credits include Blue Planet II, Doctor Who, Luther, Good Omens, This Country, Famalam, The Planets, 8 Days: To the Moon and Back, Louis Theroux and Killed By My Debt, as well as much-loved long-running series like Top Gear, Strictly Come Dancing, EastEnders, DIY SOS and Countryfile. Since launching as a commercial business in April 2017, BBC Studios has won over 30 third-party commissions, including commissions from Apple, National Geographic, Channel 4, Sky, UKTV, Channel 5, Discovery, PBS, Quibi, ABC in Australia and Migu in China.