BBC Children in Need’s iconic mascot of more than 40 years is doing something he has never done before (discounting the time he learnt BSL): Pudsey is speaking!
It’s part of a powerful new campaign – Pudsey Finds His Voice – urging every adult to be someone children can talk to about mental health. To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, BBC Children in Need is calling on adults across the UK to take action for children’s mental health by checking in, listening and being someone young people feel safe talking to when it matters most.
The 30-second film created by BBC Creative and Blinkink shows Pudsey in conversation with British child actor Dexter Sol Ansell, capturing the power and importance of conversation. Pudsey Finds His Voice is airing across BBC television and radio, following an exclusive premiere on last night’s The One Show (Monday 11 May). The identity of the owner of Pudsey’s voice is so far a closely guarded secret (or is Pudsey himself, for any younger readers) but what appears clear from the film is that the bear is a Northerner, more than likely from Yorkshire if we were asked to put a pin on a map:
Steve Lownes and Aron Sidhu, senior creatives at BBC Creative, said: “Pudsey has been a symbol of Children in Need for over 40 years, but he’s never had a voice. With more and more children facing mental health challenges, we felt it was time for Pudsey to speak up, helping highlight just how important it is to talk to children about their worries.”
“To bring Pudsey to life, we used a plush bear with live-action puppetry, alongside subtle 2D animation to create his mouth movements. But it was the addition of his adorable Yorkshire accent that made him feel real. We searched through 137 different voices to find the right ageless, soft tone to fit Pudsey.”
Blinkink’s master puppeteers and filmmakers Jonny and Will added: “The campaign is about children having someone to talk to, and the idea that they might have the same Pudsey teddy at home, felt like a nice way for them to feel close to the character, and give it a familiar, homely feel. We wanted the audience to feel as though Pudsey was an old friend, not a magical apparition. When he turns up, it’s like the child is having a heart to heart with a pal, able to wear their heart on their sleeve, and talk about their feelings. The message that every child deserves an adult who will listen was key, and hopefully the audience will take that away with them.”
“Finding Pudsey’s voice was definitely a challenge. Having never heard him speak before, we knew it was important to strike the right tone. A slight Yorkshire lilt was a lovely touch, and in the end we found a voice which had just the right elements we were looking for, as well as the perfect energy levels and eloquent delivery.”
Claire Hoyle, interim chief executive at BBC Children in Need, said: “Pudsey has stood alongside children for over 40 years, and now, for the first time ever, he’s finding his voice. Pudsey is finding his voice because too many children feel they can’t share what they’re going through, and too many adults aren’t sure how to start that conversation. This campaign is a call to adults. It’s on all of us to create the moments, ask the questions, and really listen – so children feel safe to open up.”
