Alex Scott became overcome with emotion and broke down in tears as she hosted Children In Need 2023 on Friday night.

The sports presenter, 39, took to the stage with Chris Ramsey to host the annual telethon, which raises money for charities helping disadvantaged children.

The BBC fundraising live show features pre-recorded clips of families and young people talking about their struggles and how Children In Need has helped them.

And Alex choked back tears after she watched a young boy called Shay discuss his struggles with Tourette’s syndrome.

Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition characterised by a combination of involuntary noises and movements called tics and usually starts during childhood. 

Tearful: Alex Scott became overcome with emotion and broke down in tears as she hosted Children In Need 2023 alongside Chris Ramsey on Friday night

Shay spoke about how he felt ‘lonely’ due to his Tourette’s because he didn’t know any other young people who were having the same struggles as him.

His mother said: ‘He was petrified of his own shadow,’ while his father added: ‘He didn’t want to go out, he shut himself away because he was afraid of what people were thinking. Even with us, he was different.’

Shay then opened up how Children In Need had helped him by enabling him to go to Tourettes Action’s Ticfest, where he met other young people with Tourette’s.

Flashing back to Alex in the live studio, she then choked back tears as she became overwhelmed with emotion at Shay’s story.

Alex had to pause for a moment as she struggled to speak through her tears, while her co-host Chris Ramsey comforted her.

She then said: ‘Without Children In Need, Shay wouldn’t have met other children who share the same difficulties that he has faced. As his mum and dad said, your donations have helped them get their son back.’

Alex put on a very glamorous display to host Children In Need as she took to the stage with a whole host of stars.

She looked as elegant as ever in a stunning black satin gown with ruched detailing and halter-neck straps.

Emotional: Alex choked back tears after she watched a young boy called Shay discuss his struggles with Tourette’s syndrome

Struggles: Shay spoke about how he felt ‘lonely’ due to his Tourette’s because he didn’t know any other young people who were having the same struggles as him

She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of black stilettos and accessorised her sophisticated ensemble with a glitzy jewelled choker necklace.

Alex, who recently confirmed her romance with Jess Glynne by sharing a kiss, made sure all eyes were on her as she took to the red carpet.

The former footballer then made her grand arrival on stage to host the annual fundraising event alongside a string of stars.

She fronted the live BBC show alongside the likes of Jason Manford, Chris Ramsey, Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc and Lenny Rush.

Elsewhere during Children In Need, Vernon Kay was left speechless after discovering he had raised £5million with his 115-mile Ultramarathon.

The TV presenter, 49, struggled to contain his emotion as Alex read out the eye-popping amount.

Vernon who only hours earlier completed the final day of his 115-mile Ultramarathon challenge looked in total shock as the studio audience applauded. 

Alex revealed that the star has made £5,067,847 for the good cause branding him ‘amazing’ and incredible’. 

Earlier in the day Vernon was greeted by his mum Gladys and dad Norman at Toughsheet Community Stadium in Bolton as they wrapped their arms around him.

He was welcomed into the stadium by roaring cheers from crowds, as the moment was recorded live for Zoe Ball’s BBC radio show.

The father-of-two soon spotted his parents in the crowd and rushed over to give them a hug as they emotionally reunited after the run.

Amazing: Elsewhere during Children In Need, Vernon Kay was left speechless after discovering he had raised £5million with his 115-mile Ultramarathon

Tough: Vernon who only hours earlier completed the final day of his 115 mile Ultramarathon challenge looked in total shock as the studio audience applauded

A video of the moment was shared on Instagram and Vernon’s wife Tess commented underneath: ‘Give him a massive squeeze from me Gladys!’ 

Children In Need was filled with its usual comedy sketches but viewers slammed ‘unfunny’ hosts Mel Giedroyc and Jason Manford after they performed a ‘painful’ skit.

The annual BBC telethon saw the duo donning outlandish wigs to play 1970s news presenters.

Reading out humorous headlines for the cameras fans at home were left unimpressed and branded the skit ‘rubbish’ and ‘really bad’. 

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one said: ‘These presenters are so UNFUNNY’.

While a second wrote: ‘The sketch by Mel and Jason was really bad’. 

A third said: ‘That was painful!’. 

And:  ‘Looking forward to this till I saw blood rubbish unfunny Mel Giedroyc is one of the presenters ….why’.  

Awkward: Children In Need was filled with its usual comedy sketches but viewers slammed ‘unfunny’ hosts Mel Giedroyc and Jason Manford after they performed a ‘painful’ skit

Unimpressed: The annual BBC telethon, which raises money for disadvantaged kids, saw the duo donning outlandish wigs to play 1970s news presenters

Children In Need kicked off with Kate Middleton surprising viewers by opening the show with an impassioned speech.

The Princess of Wales, 41, was the surprise opening act of the annual charity fundraiser in a pre-recorded video message.

Wearing a favourite £175 blue blouse dotted with rainbows by London brand Lisou, she told the audience: ‘Hello everyone. I’m delighted that Children in Need have invited me to open this evening’s show.’

Her appearance was timely given her landmark speech earlier this week on the importance of early childhood and the affect that experiences between the ages of birth to five can have on adult life.

‘Tonight is all about helping to support, champion and empower all children to be the very best they can be, which is crucial for their future health and happiness,’ the mother-of-three explained.

‘Our relationships, surroundings and experiences during the earliest years lay the foundations that shape the rest of our lives.

‘And yet sadly, we know that for too many people, stressful and traumatic situations in early childhood can cause harm and it can take many years to overcome.’

Hosts: Alex fronted the live BBC show alongside the likes of Jason Manford, Chris Ramsey, Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc and Lenny Rush

Stunning: Alex put on a very glamorous display to host Children In Need as she took to the red carpet ahead of the show 

Glam: Alex looked as elegant as ever in a stunning black satin gown with ruched detailing and halter-neck straps

Elegant: She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of black stilettos and accessorised her sophisticated ensemble with a glitzy jewelled choker necklace

Glitzy: Alex made sure all eyes were on her as she took to the red carpet ahead of hosting the annual fundraising event

Fundraiser: Children In Need is expected to raise in excess of £35million this year. Alex is pictured with Children In Need’s mascot Pudsey Bear

Guest star: Kate Middleton surprised viewers by opening Children In Need with an impassioned speech 

She concluded: ‘It is vital, therefore, that we nurture every childhood and why the sorts of projects supported by Children in Need are so important. 

‘They help the very youngest, most vulnerable members of our society feel safe, secure and loved in these important, formative years, so that they can enjoy their childhoods now, and grow to reach their potential and thrive in the world in later life.

‘I hope you enjoy this evening’s show and best of luck to all those taking part in challenges and the incredible fundraising effort.’

It was the first time that the future queen has taken part in a television fundraiser such as Children in Need, which is expected to raise in excess of £35million this year.