Wogan commits to Children In Need

Broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan plans to carry on presenting the BBC's Children In Need show "until hell freezes over", he has revealed.

The 71-year-old, who recently announced he would no longer present his Radio 2 breakfast show from next year, says he has no plans to retire from the show.

"They're going to have to shoot me to get me off that," he said.

He was speaking at the launch of single All You Need Is Love, by Bandaged, which will raise money for the charity.

Sir Terry has recorded the single with a number of pop stars including Paloma Faith, Andrea Corr, Lee Mead, Midge Ure and Peter Gabriel.

'Important thing'

Last year, Sir Terry announced his retirement from another of his long-term commitments, stepping down as commentator on the Eurovision Song Contest after three decades.

But he insisted he will continue fronting the Children In Need show, which he has presented since 1980.

We want to out-smart that Cowell person. I think it's a pretty shrewd move

Sir Terry Wogan on why they release date for the single has been bought forward
"I will be doing that until hell freezes over, or at least until the public get fed up of me," he added.

"For me it's the most important thing I do all year.

"And for the BBC it's the most important thing they do all year because it's cohesive.

"It brings the whole BBC together, which is what the BBC was designed to be. It's such a worthwhile thing to do."

All You Need is love will be released on Monday.

It is taken from the Children In Need album Bandaged Together - also released on Monday - which includes the talents of artists including Bill Wyman, Brian May, Bryan Ferry, Lee Mead, Cerys Matthews, Elaine Paige, Sharon Corr and Hayley Westenra.

Silver Bells

Last year, Sir Terry recorded a Christmas single for Children In Need with singer Aled Jones - also under the name Bandaged.

Little Drummer Boy - Peace On Earth went to number three in the Christmas chart, two places behind X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's single Hallelujah.

This year, he has again recorded a Christmas single, Silver Bells, with Aled Jones.

He revealed that the song - which he said would "draw tears from stones" - would be released earlier in December this year to avoid a clash with the X Factor winner's single.

"We want to out-smart that Cowell person," he said.

"I think it's a pretty shrewd move."

Last year, Children In Need raised £37.8m, which is being used to enhance the lives of thousands of disadvantaged youngsters across the UK.