Tom Fletcher and his 11-year-old son Buzz delivered one of the most emotional moments of this year’s Children In Need, stunning millions of viewers with a father-son duet so moving that social media erupted into tears.

Buzz, often jokingly dubbed a “nepo baby”, proved he needed no such label tonight as he stepped onto the BBC stage alongside his McFly star dad and sang Thread of Hope with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

The song, written by Tom especially for Pudsey and the new 25-minute animated CBeebies film Thread of Hope, became the emotional centrepiece of the night. And as soon as the final note faded, Buzz couldn’t hide his pride. Beaming, he said that performing with his dad at Children In Need felt “absolutely incredible” and admitted he had always wanted to follow in Tom’s footsteps after watching him on stage with McFly.

Fans flocked to X in floods of emotion. One viewer wrote that they were “sobbing at Tom Fletcher and his kid”, while another declared the duet “everything and more”.

Tom shares Buzz, Buddy, and Max with his wife, author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher. Earlier this year, Buzz made headlines when he landed a role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical Starlight Express.

The telethon continued delivering unforgettable moments — none more jaw-dropping than Sara Cox’s live revelation that her brutal 135-mile marathon challenge raised an extraordinary £9,523,028. Stunned and visibly shaking, Sara gasped and covered her mouth as Paddy McGuinness announced the total. Fighting tears, she told viewers, “A massive thank you, I could not have done it without you… there’s a lot of bad things going on in the world, but Children In Need reminds you there is more good.”

Prince William also recorded a heartfelt video message, praising her strength and telling her the nation was proud.

Elsewhere, Lewis Capaldi unveiled his brand-new single The Day That I Die, while EastEnders fans were sent into hysterics by a sketch featuring mini versions of Kat Slater, Billy Mitchell, and Phil Mitchell storming through the Queen Vic. One viewer joked that the kids were “better actors than the adults”.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Neil Jones showed courage of a different kind as he returned to the stage for a charity workout — just one day after announcing the heartbreaking death of his father David. Despite the grief, Neil smiled for the cameras, sparkling in his competition outfit as he joined Mel Giedroyc and Joe Wicks.

Rochelle Humes stunned in a strapless burgundy gown, while hosts Vernon Kay, Paddy McGuinness, Lenny Rush, Big Zuu and Mel Giedroyc kept the energy soaring during the telethon’s Simpsons-themed opening and surprise celebrity appearances.

By the end of the night, Children In Need 2025 had achieved the unthinkable: an astronomical £45 million, powered by music, laughter, and moments that united the country.