Tonight on BBC’s The One Show, musicals composer Andrew Lloyd Webber challenged a teenager from East Ayrshire to join the cast of hit London show Starlight Express.
The challenge is all in aid of BBC Children in Need 2025 Appeal Night.
Lloyd Webber challenged 17-year-old Eloise, who is a member of The One Show’s Challenge Squad, made up of four inspirational young people who have benefitted from BBC Children in Need funding, and are now taking on incredible challenges to help make a difference to young lives.
A young carer for her sister, Eloise has been supported by East Ayrshire Young Carers since the age of nine. With both parents facing complex health conditions, Eloise plays a vital role in her family and now she’s stepping into the spotlight to shine.
Eloise will be donning her roller skates to spend the next few weeks rehearsing with the cast of Starlight Express, before the Appeal night on Friday 14 November.
Starlight Express is joining this year’s fundraising effort by making a donation to BBC Children in Need. A portion of Starlight Express ticket sales from Wednesday 5 to Sunday 16 November 2025 will go to BBC Children in Need, whilst audiences will also have the opportunity to contribute through bucket collections held during these performances – all to help make a difference to young lives when it is needed most.
Starlight Express is the spectacular immersive theatre musical that takes audiences on a journey of speed, song and storytelling, as the incredible cast of 40 whizz around and above, performing much-loved songs including AC/DC, Make Up My Heart, Light at the End of the Tunnel and the iconic Starlight Express.
On being a part of the Challenge Squad, Eloise said: “Performing with the Starlight Express cast for BBC Children in Need is going to be incredible! I’ve already started practising, met the amazing cast and even had the chance to get my skates on. BBC Children in Need has made a real difference in my life by helping to fund East Ayrshire Young Carers, so I wanted to take on this challenge to give back and help other young people. I’m going to give it my absolute best!”
Alex Jones, who is mentoring Eloise ahead of her challenge, said: “It’s a joy to be back with the Challenge Squad this year. These young people are truly remarkable – full of courage and determination. I’m so proud to be working with them and helping to share their stories with the nation. The challenges they’re taking on are no small feat, but we know they’ll each give it everything they’ve got.”
Michael Harrison, producer of Starlight Express for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, said: “I am thrilled that Starlight Express has the opportunity to support BBC Children in Need this year. Andrew originally created the show so that his own children could enjoy the magic of live theatre, and over the last two years we have seen so many families and young children visit the Troubadour Theatre in Wembley for their own first experience of a musical. It feels especially fitting that, through this partnership, the show will now help to create more opportunities for young people across the UK.”
The BBC Children in Need 2025 Appeal Show is on BBC One on Friday 14 November. Donate here.
Starlight Express is now playing at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London, booking to 19 April 2026.
Book tickets to Starlight Express in London
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