-- Television's most famous street welcomes one of Britain's biggest pop stars for ITV's Text Santa at 8pm on Friday 20 December.
Coronation Street's cobbles have provided the platform for many a VIP visit in the show's 53 years. This time, they will be the stage for Cheryl Cole, in a sketch specially written to raise money for Text Santa's six chosen charities.
Scriptwriters have penned a storyline that sees Cheryl Cole arrive in Weatherfield and head for the Rovers Return, looking for her childhood friend, barmaid Tina. Cheryl expects to be travelling home to Newcastle with Tina for her mum's Christmas party, but this is Coronation Street where nothing ever goes to plan.
Appearing with Cheryl will be Corrie regulars including Tina (Michelle Keegan) Steve (Simon Gregson), Michelle (Kym Marsh), and Kirk (Andy Whyment).
Cheryl said: It (Coronation Street) has always been part of my life, we'd all watch it as kids every night. It's surreal to be part of something I've watched my whole life. It's great to be able to support six wonderful charities and I really hope that this year's appeal makes a difference to many lives.
Presented by Ant & Dec, Phillip Schofield & Holly Willoughby and Christine Bleakley & Paddy McGuinness, Text Santa kicks off with a spectacular all-singing, all-dancing opening. The Text Santa entertainment extravaganza will feature an exclusive performance by Robbie Williams. Plus other special guest performances to be announced shortly.
Throughout the night, there will be emotional true-life films from the six UK based charities, who will benefit from all money raised, with guest celebrities telling the viewers about the moving stories. Suranne Jones highlights the work of Age UK; Colin Salmon speaks up for Barnardo's; Amanda Holden visits the people behind BeatBullying; Jonathan Ross examines the work of the British Heart Foundation; Richard E Grant profiles CLIC Sargent; Jim Carter explains the role of Help the Hospices.
December sees the launch of the Text Santa online Advent Calendar, with exclusive messages and behind-the-scenes footage including Corrie stars preparing for Fairytale In Weatherfield' and Strictly's Len Goodman and choreographer Arlene Phillips provide tips for Christmas Dancing. Boyzone share their favourite Christmas moments and an insider's peek at the Text Santa photo shoot.
Text Santa is using its head with Hats On Display for Hattitude Day , for a special day of fundraising on Friday 20 December. Anyone who joins in the fun by wearing a hat can donate £1 to Text Santa.
Launching on the 8th December a special Text Santa ebay auction site will feature popular items from a Torvill and Dean ice-skating tutorial on the Dancing on Ice set, to One Direction signed merchandise. December 9th, sees the launch of Text Santa's Big Volunteer day' with charity opportunities to help someone near you. There'll also be a Text Santa bucket collections across the UK from 18th December.
Text Santa is more prominent than ever this year. Major ITV programmes and stars are at the forefront of the fundraising and helping the public to be aware of the work of the charities.
Ant & Dec have helped design this year's special Text Santa Christmas Hats and Paul O'Grady has emerged from his hit For the Love of Dogs' series to design a hat for dogs. These, and children's Text Santa hats, as well as a range of Text Santa merchandise are available across the UK at Morrisons, one of the appeal partners.
Viewers can make donations throughout the appeal via text; thanks to Text Santa partner Vodafone by using their JustTextGiving service, which ensures 100% of your donation goes directly to Text Santa and lets you add Gift Aid easily. Vodafone will also be operating the landline technology on the night, and taking calls if viewers want to donate by phone. Text Santa's banking partner, Santander will be getting behind the appeal by taking donations in their 1,200 branches as well as offering this year's must have' Christmas accessory, the Text Santa character pin badges, Holly, Rudy and Tinsel. Donations can also be made online at itv.com/textsanta. To donate £5 text SANTA to 70070.100% of donations raised will be distributed equally between the six charities.
The Text Santa Fundraising pack is available online at www.textsanta.co.uk. The packs include information on how to get involved, by showing your Hattitude' while raising money for Text Santa, and helping the charities help someone near you.
** Texts cost £5. Full details, charity numbers & terms can be found at www.itv.com/textsanta, stv.tv and u.tv. You should be 16+. Please ask the bill payer's permission. Closes 10.01.14 at 5pm.
Notes to Editors:
Overview of 2013 charities:
Age UK
Age UK has been selected again, having been one of the 2012 beneficiaries of Text Santa. Age UK helps millions of people every year. No one should have to spend later life cold, lonely or in poverty so Age UK provides vital information, advice and practical services to end needless suffering for older people.
Barnardo's
Barnardo's works with more than 200,000 children, young people and their families each year, through over 900 community projects across the UK. They work to transform the lives of the UK's most vulnerable children and every year they help thousands of families to build a better future.
In the current economic climate, there is an increasing demand for their services and the funds raised by Text Santa will support the most vulnerable children in the UK this Christmas, turning their lives around and helping them face the future with hope and confidence.
BeatBullying
BeatBullying is a bullying prevention charity, campaigning to make bullying unacceptable and providing su
