WHEN it’s Children in Need night on the telly, all other channels really struggle to make an impact.

After all, how can you expect to compete with singing newsreaders and Top Gear meets Ashes to Ashes?

Poor old Channel Four clearly decided not to bother by showing Four Weddings and A Funeral — again!

Whatever you might think about Children in Need night — I have a friend who thinks the entertainment’s OK but wishes they didn’t keep interrupting with demands for your credit card — it is all for a very worthy cause.

You have to be a little cynical about some of the artists who freely give of their time to perform their new single in front of millions of viewers and some bits never really work.

But, at the heart of the whole thing there is the broadcasting legend that is Terry Wogan.

For the past 29 years he has anchored the telethon, spending hours in front of the cameras while the live show unfolds.

Now that’s professionalism for you!

This year he got two little helpers in the form of Fearne (I’m ever so excitable) Cotton and Tess (you knew I couldn’t dance) Daly.

But it was the old maestro who still rules the roost — and long may it continue.