Text Santa

Text Santa
Presented by	Holly Willoughby Phillip Schofield Janice Long Declan Donnelly Michelle Visage Ant McPartlin Christine Lampard Paddy McGuinness Alesha Dixon Brian Dowling Caroline Flack Olly Murs
Opening theme	"Text Santa" theme by A-MNEMONIC Music
Composer	Jonny Vere
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
Production
Production location	The London Studios
Production company	ITV Studios
Original release
Network	ITV
Release	11 December 2011(2011-12-11)– 25 December 2015(2015-12-25)
Related
From the Heart, ITV Telethon

Text Santawas a charity initiative set up in 2011 byITVto support UK-based charities during the Christmas period. The appeal to the public is to donate money mainly via text donation and profits from merchandise. The telethons have been hosted by popular ITV presenters includingPhillip Schofield,Christine Bleakley,andAnt & Dec.The 2015 appeal show was the last after ITV decided to axe the show to make way for an all-year appeal.

Music

TheText Santa2015 appeal theme music was created by London-based music production company A-MNEMONIC MusicOfficial Website.In previous years, the theme music that was used was created by British composerLeigh HaggerwoodofThe Florin Street Band,who re-worked his Christmas song "My Favourite Time of Year"especially for the appeal, creating theme and background music along with various other original compositions. The song – with its sweeping string melodies and critically acclaimed Victorian-themed music video has gained worldwide popularity and was recently performed by the United States Army Band in Washington D.C. Leigh Haggerwood is proud of the songs association with theText Santacampaign and has pledged to support it each year. "My Favourite Time of Year" was not used for the 2015 appeal.

Official single

In 2013, the cast ofThe Big Reunionreleased a cover of "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday",with all proceeds going to theText Santacharities. The single peaked at 21 in the UK singles charts.

Charities

All of the money raised gets split between thecharitiessupported by the appeal. In 2011, there were nine chosen charities, in 2012, 2013 and 2014, there were six and in 2015, there were three.

2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
Age UK				Macmillan Cancer Support
Crisis	Anthony Nolan	BeatBullying	The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association	Make-A-Wish Foundation
Carers UK		Save the Children	Carers UK	Save the Children
Samaritans	Marie Curie Cancer Care	British Heart Foundation	Teenage Cancer Trust	—
WRVS	Together for Short Lives	CLIC Sargent	Together for Short Lives
Great Ormond Street Hospital	Whizz-Kidz	Help the Hospices	WellChild
The Noah's Ark Appeal	—	—	—
Helping Hand
Yorkhill Children's Foundation

Overview

Presenters

No.	Broadcast date	Total raised	Presenters	ITV rating (millions)
1	11 December 2011(launch show) 24 December 2011(main show)	£4,200,000	Phillip Schofield(launch show) Christine Lampard(launch show) Anthony McPartlin Declan Donnelly Holly Willoughby	3.79(launch show) 3.87
2	21 December 2012	£5,500,000	Phillip Schofield Christine Lampard Anthony McPartlin Declan Donnelly Holly Willoughby Paddy McGuinness	4.82
3	20 December 2013	£5,100,000		4.41
4	19 December 2014	£6,200,000	Phillip Schofield Christine Lampard Anthony McPartlin Declan Donnelly Paddy McGuinness Alesha Dixon	3.86
5	18 December 2015	£11,000,000	Phillip Schofield Christine Lampard Holly Willoughby Paddy McGuinness Alesha Dixon Stephen Mulhern Amanda Holden Caroline Flack Olly Murs	3.23

2011 appeal

The 2011 appeal aired in two parts. The launch show aired on 11 December 2011 and was hosted byPhillip SchofieldandChristine Lampard.The main show aired on Christmas Eve (24 December 2011) withAnt & DecandHolly Willoughbyas presenters.

Show	Date	Timeslots	Presenters
Launch show	11 December 2011	21:30–22:35	Phillip Schofield Christine Lampard
Main show	24 December 2011	19:30–21:00	Ant & Dec
		21:00–22:00	Holly Willoughby

Events

• On 27 November 2011, atThe Kia Oval Cricket Ground,thousands of people attempted aGuinness World Recordfor the largest Santa gathering. entertained the participants. However, not enough people turned out for the record attempt of 13,200 Santas.

2012 appeal

The 2012 telethon aired live on 21 December 2012. The first hour of the telethon was hosted byAnt & Dec,the second byPhillip SchofieldandHolly Willoughbyand the third byChristine LampardandPaddy McGuinness,all fromThe London Studios.

Show	Date	Timeslots	Presenters
Text Santa Starts Here! (launch show)	21-22 December 2012	18:55–19:00	Ant & Dec
Main show		20:00–21:00
		21:00–22:00	Phillip Schofield Holly Willoughby
		22:00–23:00	Paddy McGuinness Christine Lampard
Text Santa: One More Time (highlights show)		00:00–01:15	Ant & Dec Phillip Schofield Holly Willoughby Paddy McGuinness Christine Lampard

Within other shows

• A special edition ofThe Jeremy Kyle Showaired at 09:25 featuring people with many disabilities and talked about how theText Santacharities helped them and their families get through their difficulties. Kyle treated these people with special trips and featured a guest appearance fromOnly Boys Aloud.
• A special edition ofDickinson's Real DealfromIlfordaired at 15:00 forText Santa.
• A celebrity special ofThe Chaseaired at 17:00 on 21 December forText Santa,featuringBradley Walshas host with contestantsLorraine Kelly,Craig Charles,JameliaandDom Joly.Together, they raised £22,000 for theText Santacharities.
• A special edition ofCelebrity Juiceaired onITV1&UTVat 23:15 and onSTVat midnight on 22 December and was once again presented byKeith Lemon,Fearne CottonandHolly Willoughbywith panellistsDavina McCall,Louis Smith,Aston Merrygold,Stacey SolomonandSimon Gregson.
• Laura HamiltonandJeff Brazierpresented a special 45-minuteCITVprogramme at 16:00 on 21 December calledText Santa: CITV Special.

Events

• On 2 December 2012, around 8,500 people took part in a 'Santa Dash' inLiverpool,attempting aGuinness World Recordfor the largest Santa gathering whilst raising money forText Santa,however, they didn't break the record of 13,200 santas.
• On 6 December 2012, theBiggest Bag Pack Evertook place in 200Asdastores nationwide, celebrities includingEamonn HolmesandRuth Langsfordhelped out in theWatfordbranch.
• eBayauctions took place to raise money forText Santa,items sold includedThis Morning'ssofa which sold for £1,200 and a tour of theDaybreakstudios inLondonwhich sold for £510.

2013 appeal

The 2013 telethon aired live on 20 December 2013. The first hour of the telethon was hosted byAnt & Dec,the second byPhillip SchofieldandHolly Willoughby,and the third and final hour byChristine BleakleyandPaddy McGuinness,all broadcast live fromThe London Studios.

Morrisons,SantanderandVodafonewereText Santa's official partners for the 2013 appeal.

An official charity single by the cast ofThe Big Reunion,performing a cover of "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday"was released in December 2013 to raise money forText Santa.

Show	Date	Timeslots	Presenters
Text Santa Starts Here! (launch show)	20-21 December 2013	18:55–19:00	Ant & Dec
Main show		20:00–21:00
		21:00–22:00	Phillip Schofield Holly Willoughby
		22:00–23:05	Paddy McGuinness Christine Bleakley
Highlights show		23:50–01:05	Ant & Dec Phillip Schofield Holly Willoughby Paddy McGuinness Christine Bleakley

Within other shows

• 15p from each vote on the entertainment showStepping Out,went to theText Santacharities.
• This Morning's'Take a Moment' campaign raised £250,000 for theText Santaappeal. The total was announced live onThis Morningin December 2013 byRuth Langsford,Andi PetersandEamonn Holmes.
• On 20 December, there was aText Santa'takeover' on ITV, with some of the daytime programmes showing donation clips throughout the daytime schedule.
• AText Santaspecial ofThe Jeremy Kyle Showaired at 09:25 on 20 December. It starredJeremy Kylewho gave deserving children a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visitLapland.
• AText Santaspecial ofPeter Andre's 60 Minute Makeoveraired fromBurgess HillinWest Sussexat 14:00 on 20 December, where the team performed a makeover of the lounge at The Cherry Tree Activity Centre, run by theText SantacharityAge UK.
• AText Santaspecial ofDickinson's Real Dealaired fromEdgbastoninBirminghamat 15:00 on 20 December.
• AText Santaspecial ofShow Me the Tellyaired at 16:00 on 20 December. The show, presented byRichard Baconfeatured "legends"Chris Tarrant,Simon GregsonandVanessa Feltzand television criticsBoyd Hilton,Ian Hyland andKevin O'Sullivanwho won £3,000 forText Santa.
• A celebrity special ofThe Chaseaired at 17:00 on 20 December, featuringBradley Walshas host with celebrity contestants from theITV News,Matt Barbet,Alastair Stewart,Romilly WeeksandCharlene White.Together, they raised £55,000 for theText Santaappeal.
• Sooty,Sweep,SooandRichard Cadellwith guest starsAndy AkinwolereandLaura Hamiltonappeared in a"Make it!"episode of the charity's five minute television appeal"Help with Hattitude"featured the cast ofSootyshowing the public how to get involved. It was first shown on theCITVchannel on Monday 25 November 2013.

Events

• On 5 December 2013,Text Santabroke theGuinness World Recordfor the largest number of pantomime horses in a race over 100 metres.
• eBayauctions took place to raise money forText Santa,items sold includedPhillip Schofield'sface made of chocolate.

2014 appeal

In May 2014, it was announced thatText Santawould return for a fourth year in December 2014. The telethon aired live on 19 December 2014, a couple of weeks after the launch show, hosted byPhillip Schofield.

The presenting line-up changed slightly. With Holly Willoughby off on maternity leave,Alesha DixonjoinedPaddy McGuinnessfor a segment of the show, whilePhillip Schofieldwas reunited with his formerDancing on Iceco-hostChristine Bleakley.Ant & Decreturned to the show as well.

On 19 December, the first part ofText Santawas hosted byAnt & Dec,the second byPhillip SchofieldandChristine Bleakley,and the remainder of the show byPaddy McGuinnessandAlesha Dixon.It was broadcast fromThe London Studios.

Show	Date	Timeslots	Presenters
Phillip's Live 24-Hour TV Marathon (launch show)	1 December 2014	11:00–23:59	Phillip Schofield
	2 December 2014	00:00–11:00
Main show	19-20 December 2014	20:00–21:20	Michelle Visage Ant & Dec
		21:20–22:15	Phillip Schofield Christine Bleakley
		22:15–23:20	Paddy McGuinness Alesha Dixon
Highlights show		00:05–01:25	Ant & Dec Phillip Schofield Christine Bleakley Paddy McGuinness Alesha Dixon

Within other shows

• 15p from each vote onI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!,went to the 2014Text Santacharities.
• AText Santaspecial ofThe Jeremy Kyle Showaired at 09:25 on 19 December. It sawJeremy Kylegiving deserving children a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visitLapland.
• AText Santaspecial ofPeter Andre's 60 Minute Makeoveraired from Woodford Green in Essex at 14:00 on 19 December, where the team performed a makeover of the Buddy Hut at Haven House Children's Hospice, which is supported byText Santa.
• On 18 November 2014, aText Santaedition ofTipping Pointwas recorded. It featuredGood Morning BritainpresentersCharlotte Hawkins,Susanna Reid,Andi PetersandRichard Arnold,with normal hostBen Shephardas the host. It was aired on 19 December at 16:00. They raised a combined total of over £13,000 for theText Santacharities.
• There was aText Santacelebrity special of the game showThe Cube,hosted byPhillip Schofield.It aired during the live telethon on 19 December and starredPaddy McGuinnessandAlesha Dixon.They were the first ever people to take onThe Cubetogether.Leigh Francis' alter egoKeith Lemonalso made a guest appearance as 'The Body' as well as guestsThe Chuckle Brothers.They won £100,000 for the charities.
• Mel BandWarwick Davisguest starred in aCoronation Streetsketch.
• There was aBirds of a Feathersketch forText Santastarring regular cast includingLesley Joseph,Linda RobsonandPauline Quirkeas well as a guest appearance fromPaul O'Grady,playing Santa Claus.
• TheDownton Abbeysketch forText Santaguest starredGeorge Clooney,Jeremy PivenandJoanna Lumley.

Events

• eBayauctions took place to raise money for Text Santa, items sold included tickets toThe X Factorfinal atWembley Arenaand a set tour ofDownton Abbey.

Phillip's Live 24-Hour TV Marathon

Phillip Schofieldpresented a live 24-hour long programme onITV3forText Santa.It was broadcast on 1 December through to 2 December 2014 and recorded in Studio 3 atThe London Studios.

Phillip's JustGiving pagehas raised £101,924 for theText Santacharities.

He also abseiled the tower atThe London StudiosforText Santa.

The 24-hour show was nominated for a 2015 Broadcast Digital Award in the category of "Best Sports or Live Event Coverage".

Running order

1 December 2014

• 11:00– TV marathon begins, Phillip co-hostsThis MorningwithAmanda Holden.
• 12:30– Phillip is a guest panellist onLoose WomenalongsideRuth Langsford,Penny LancasterandJane Moore.
• 13:20– Phillip travels toITV NewsHQ withChris Moyles,and chats toMary Nightingaleon theMobile Phone.
• 13:30– Phillip is given a tour ofITV Newsoffice byMary Nightingalebefore being interviewed bySteve Scotton theITV Lunchtime News.
• 14:10– Phillip returns toKent Houseto have a rehearsal for his national weather forecast withLucy Verasamy.
• 14:25– Phillip sees hisText Santastudio for the first time.
• 14:30– Phillip discovers his next big challenge forText Santa,where he has to abseil down the side ofKent HouseseeingChris Moyles,Ruth Langsford,Gemma Collins,Lucy Verasamy,and theThis Morningcrew in the various offices.
• 15:30– Phillip is joined byPenny Lancasterto meet some of the people whoText Santahelp.
• 16:00– Phillip is joined by his formerDancing on Iceco-hostChristine Bleakleyas well as dancersVincent SimoneandFlavia Cacace.There is also an exclusive look at the brand newCITVanimation with footballerFrank Lampard.
• 17:11– There is a special performance ofAlways Look On The Bright Side Of LifefromSpamalotwithJoe PasqualeandTodd Carty.
• 17:32– Phillip looks at some fundraising ideas withMyleene KlassandRav Wilding.
• 17:45–Myleene Klassjoined Phillip to look at some celebrity outfits the public could bid on to raise money forText Santa.
• 18:00– Phillip is joined byPeter Dicksonas they take a train ride along London's South Bank, to the Christmas Market, meeting some of theX Factor finalistsalong the way as well asXtra FactorpresenterSarah Jane Crawford,before helping turn theLondon Eyered, one of theText Santacolours.
• 18:55– Phillip's live national weather forecast forText Santa,broadcast live from theGood Morning Britainstudio and under guidance fromLucy Verasamy.
• 19:00– Phillip is joined byAndi Peterswho gives reactions to his Weather Forecast.
• 19:23– Phillip is joined in the studio byPatti Clareto talk about theCoronation StreetvEmmerdaleNetball game and whatCoronation Streethas in store forText Santa.
• 19:28– Phillip does a live continuity announcement onITVtoCoronation Street.
• 19:30– Phillip chats toMark Labbett,who talks about the Text Santa Quiz night, then he speaks toLinda Robsonwho talks about one of theText SantacharitiesMarie Curie.
• 19:40–Michael Balldropped by to talk to Phillip about his new album.
• 19:45– Phillip does a live trail onITV.
• 19:49–Amanda Holdenjoined Phillip live in the studio in herPyjamas,to brief him on the following day'sThis Morning.
• 20:00– There was a world exclusive ofGeorge Clooney's cameo inDownton Abbey's Text Santa special.
• 20:03– Phillip chats toITV News Central'sSameena Ali-KhanatVilla Parkwho is hosting a Text Santa Curry Night.
• 20:07– Phillip ordered the food for theI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!curry night.
• 20:12– Phillip went live toAnt and Decin Australia ahead of the latest episode ofI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!,then former campmatesAshley Roberts,Christopher Biggins,Kerry Katona,Tony Blackburn,Amy Willerton,Janet Street-PorterandJoe Pasqualearrived to watch the latest episode ofI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.
• 20:24– Phillip spoke to Jason Wouhra fromEast End Foodsas he delivered the curry for theI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!curry night.
• 20:27– Phillip does a continuity announcement forI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!onITV,before he re-joined the former campmates who shared their experiences in the jungle, while they watched the latest episode live, in their own edition ofGoggleboxwith a curry.
• 20:59– DuringI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!,Phillip took aSkypecall fromHolly Willoughby.
• 22:00– After doing aContinuity announcementfor theITV News at Ten,Phillip chats toLaura Whitmore,Joe Swash,andRob BeckettonI'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here Nowbefore he does the Fish Eyes Challenge, and Phillip's hosts his own celebrity pub quiz with celebrities includingWayne Sleep,Chico Slimani,Ashleigh and Pudsey,Liz McClarnon,Heidi Range,Lydia Rose Bright,Ferne McCann,Rav Wilding,Lauren GoodgerandBobby-Cole Norris.
• 23:15–Pixie Lottchats to Phillip.
• 23:34– After Phillip made his last continuity announcement onITV,Phillip's daughters, Ruby and Molly surprised him onSkype,thenPixie Lottgave a special performance.
• 23:41– Magician and star ofITV2'sTricked,Ben Hanlinchallenges Phillip to walk on glass.

2 December 2014

• 00:00– Phillip is joined byDavina McCallwho have a midnight feast on the roof ofKent house.
• 00:30– Phillip is joined by the cast ofMade in Chelseawho are giving the lifts in the Reception ofITV Towersa makeover.
• 00:40– Phillip is joined byThis Morningagony auntDenise Robertson,as she answers the dilemmas of some familiar faces.
• 02:15– Phillip is joined by the third series ofThe Great British Bake OffwinnerJohn Whaiteto make someHot chocolate.
• 02:28– Ian Wallace, a dream expert joins Phillip to discuss people's dreams.
• 03:19– Phillip talks toOlly Mannlive onLBC,and thenJenni Falconerbefore her show onHeart.
• 04:00–Ben Shephardarrives atITV Towersto speak to Phillip and judge the ITV lifts makeover.
• 04:26– Phillip talks toEamonn Holmesas he gets ready to appear onSunriseonSky News.
• 05:00– Phillip gets ready to appear onGood Morning Britain
• 06:00– Phillip joinedSusanna Reid,Ben ShephardandCharlotte HawkinsonGood Morning Britain.
• 07:30– Phillip prepares to meet Prime MinisterDavid Cameron
• 08:00– Phillip interviewedDavid Cameronlive from theCabinet Roomof10 Downing Street.
• 08:41– Phillip cooks breakfast forLorraine Kellyand joins her on her show,Lorraine.
• 10:00– Phillip starts his rehearsals forThis Morningprogramme.
• 10:30– Phillip goes live onThis Morning,co-hosting withAmanda Holden.
• 11:00– TV marathon ends on ITV'sThis Morningprogramme.

2015 appeal

Text Santareturned toITVon 18 December 2015, with a new line-up withStephen Mulhern,Amanda Holden,Caroline FlackandOlly Mursjoining the presenting team.

Phillip Schofield,Christine Bleakley,Holly Willoughby,Alesha DixonandPaddy McGuinnessall returned this year.Ant & Decdidn't return to hostText Santain 2015. The 2015 show was the last ever afterText Santa'scancellation in 2016.

Appeal videos were hosted byAnt & Dec,Bradley Walsh,Julie Walters,Martin ClunesandMyleene Klass.

Show	Date	Timeslots	Presenters
Pip Knit (launch show)	1 December 2015	06:00–22:30	Phillip Schofield
Main show	18 December 2015	20:00–20:30	Phillip Schofield Holly Willoughby
		20:30–20:50	Caroline Flack Olly Murs
		20:50–21:20	Paddy McGuinness Alesha Dixon
		21:20–21:35	Amanda Holden
		21:35–21:50	Stephen Mulhern
		21:50–22:20	Christine Bleakley Phillip Schofield
		22:20–22:40	Amanda Holden Alesha Dixon
		22:40–22:55	Christine Bleakley Phillip Schofield
		22:55–23:05	Paddy McGuinness Alesha Dixon
Text Santa 2015 – The Best Bits (Highlights show)	18–19 December 2015	23:55–01:10
Text Santa Update	25 December 2015	13:35–14:45	Holly Willoughby

Within other shows

• 15p from each vote onI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!,went to the 2015Text Santacharities.
• AText Santaedition ofThe Jeremy Kyle Showaired at 09:25 on 18 December 2015.
• AText Santaedition ofJudge Rinderaired on 18 December 2015 at 14:00.
• A celebrityText Santaedition of1000 Heartbeatsaired on 18 December 2015 at 15:00.Keith LemonandTess Dalytook part in the episode and collectively won £7,500 forText Santa.
• A celebrityText Santaedition ofTipping Pointaired on 18 December 2015 at 16:00 withMark Foster,Tanni Grey-Thompson,Chris KamaraandBobby George.Together, they raised a combined total of £4,850
• AText Santacelebrity edition ofThe Chasewas recorded in October 2015. The celebrities who took part wereRobert Rinder,Brian McFadden,Denise RobertsonandAndrea McLean.The chaser wasMark Labbettwho beat the contestants. They still took away £6,000 for theText Santacharities.
• Phillip Schofieldappeared inPip Kniton 1 December 2015. It saw him make guest appearances in everyITVshow broadcast from 06:00 until 22:30.
• TheDownton Abbeysketch forText Santaguest starredBruce Forsyth,Gordon Ramsay,Gok Wan,Brenda Blethyn,Jim Broadbent,Michelle KeeganandWarwick Davisand aired during the telethon on 18 December.
• A special edition ofBenidormforText SantastarredJoan Collinsand aired during theUpdateshow on 25 December.
• ACoronation Streetsketch aired during the live telethon on 18 December. The special edition guest starredRichard Branson.
• A celebrity edition ofNinja Warrior UKaired during the telethon on 18 December. The celebrities who took part wereRyan Thomas,Kimberly Wyatt,Mark Wright,Marvin Humes,Gemma Atkinson,Jayne Torvill,Christopher Dean,Philip Olivier,Louise Hazel,Ugo MonyeandCarl Froch.
• A specialText Santaedition ofBig Star's Little StarcalledBig Star's Bigger Staraired during the telethon and was presented byStephen Mulhern.The celebrities who took part wereEmma Willis,George ShelleyandJennie McAlpine.

Events

• The Knitted ad break was released on the 18th December, prior toChristmas Jumper Day.In Partnership withBritish Gas,Nationwide,BT,Dreams,DFSandAmazon Prime.
• eBayauctions took place to raise money forText Santa.Items for sale included aNinja Warrior UKfoam finger, signed by the presenters and a VIPLoose Womenstudio experience.