VIDEO: Watch David Tennant Talk About Taking Part In The Children In Need Album

A behind the scenes look at the making of the new Children In Need charity album, Got It Covered, is coming to BBC One on Wednesday 30th October at 7.30pm and will feature David Tennant as he records his version of The Proclaimers hit, Sunshine On Leith. 

This incredibly exciting venture from BBC One and BBC Children in Need also involves Helena Bonham Carter CBE, Jim Broadbent, Olivia Colman CBE, Shaun Dooley, Luke Evans, Suranne Jones, Adrian Lester OBE, Himesh Patel and Jodie Whittaker. The album of cover songs aims to help make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK. 

The special 90-minute programme will follow the entire recording process and explore all the behind-the-scenes action, as the actors face the challenging task of laying down their bespoke tracks at the legendary recording studios RAK and Abbey Road Studios in London.

David talks about the process in a new interview: 

What was it that made you want to take part in BBC Children In Need?

Well this is the brain child of Shaun Dooley, who is an actor I first met on Broadchurch as did Olivia Colman and Jodie Whittaker. We have all been grabbed into this project by Shaun.

It was his idea, it was his brain child and he and his wife Polly have put it together. It’s for Children In Need so when the call comes it’s like national service, isn’t it, you don’t say no.

Why did you choose your song and what does it mean to you?

Well I had a few ideas of the song I might do but as soon as I suggested Sunshine On Leith by The Proclaimers, it seemed to be set in stone and everybody was very keen that we stick with that and it’s been a very important song for me.

I’ve loved The Proclaimers, they have been the soundtrack of my life really and this is their biggest anthem probably. This is the point, when you see The Proclaimers live, this is the point that everybody gets out their cigarette lighters and has a little cry. It’s a wonderful song. It’s just a beautiful, simple, soaring, wonderful song. I’ve always loved it.

Of course that’s a different challenge from actually having to perform it and make it sound okay but luckily we have Guy Chambers and his very clever mixing desk which will hopefully make me sound, if not like a professional singer then at least not unlike a very unprofessional actor.

How have you found the task of swapping your everyday acting job for singing in the spotlight?

I was quite blasé about it in the run up. I think I was, well I know I was, in denial about it to be honest. I wasn’t really confronting the reality of coming and singing on my own, in front of people who know what singing is supposed to sound like. When I arrived, the nerves descended and it took me quite a few goes in front of the mic to not be trembling in my voice. I don’t know if I ever managed it entirely but it was scary, it was intense. I felt quite drained by the end of it.

Just because there is something very exposing about singing, there is something very primal about it, isn’t there? And it’s not something I do in front of people, it’s something I do in the shower and to annoy my children. So to try to do it and try to do it well or as best I can in the circumstances, it’s quite intense and weirdly gruelling. 

Children In Need: Got It Covered airs on Wednesday 30th October at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Got It Covered will be released in stores and online on Friday 1st November 2019.

The album is available to pre-order now from amazon.co.uk here. 

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