ITV announces star hosts for Text Santa appeal

Ant & Dec, Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Christine Bleakley and Paddy McGuinness will host ITV's Text Santa appeal on 21 December to raise money for several charities including Age UK.

ITV have announced the exciting line-up of talent presenting this year's Text Santa charity appeal. Returning hosts Ant & Dec, Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby and Christine Bleakley will be joined by much loved TV personality Paddy McGuinness for the live show on Friday, 21 December.

The evening entertainment extravaganza will follow a day of Text Santa programming across ITV1, ensuring an array of surprises throughout the day. It will combine exciting live studio entertainment and star guests, alongside mini-episodes of some of ITV's leading shows, including a festive Coronation Street special with some extraordinary ghostly cameo appearances.

Each celebrity pairing will host a segment of the night and will showcase the huge amount of treats hidden up Text Santa's sleeve.

Money raised will support several charities, including Age UK

The Text Santa appeal is working on behalf of specially chosen charities offering life-changing services to vulnerable people throughout the UK. This year's charities are Age UK, Anthony Nolan, Carers UK, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Together for Short Lives and Whizz-Kidz.

The show will bring to life the 6 chosen charities and viewers will be encouraged to donate throughout the night as part of the Text Santa appeal.

People can also get involved in fundraising beforehand in the run up to the show, with adults and kids fundraising packs available for download now from www.itv.com/textsanta

Ant & Dec said: 'We are delighted to be returning to host Text Santa again. It was an incredible experience last year to present such a wonderful, fun-packed show, which raised a brilliant amount of money and awareness for truly worthy causes.

'This year you can really get into the spirit of it and make this year bigger and better than ever, by downloading a fundraising pack and putting the fun into fundraising!'

Paddy McGuinness said: 'I'm rocking around the Christmas tree at joining the Text Santa team. What a great bunch of people to be working with to host this year's appeal. Santa has been very kind to me this year and paired me up with Christine Bleakley! What a fantastic way to start the Christmas countdown!'

How to ensure 100% of your donation goes to the charities

Text Santa will once again work with its broadcast sponsor ASDA and commercial partner Vodafone, using their JustTextGiving service, to help raise money and awareness for the chosen charities. ASDA will be launching festive Text Santa hats, available nationwide, with a percentage of every sale going to Text Santa.

Viewers will be able to donate money throughout the campaign by text, using JustTextGiving by Vodafone, free on any network allowing 100% of the donation going to the charities.

Peter Fincham, ITV Director of Television said: 'We're so thrilled to be working with such fantastic names again and that so many of ITV's most loved shows are also doing something special for Text Santa. We want to give viewers a real treat in return for their incredible generosity and support of these inspirational charities.'

Visit ITV's Text Santa website to find out how you can get involved