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The One Show took an unusually emotional turn on Friday, as Alex Jones broke down in tears on air.
It’s not often we see waterworks on the BBC show, but an incredibly moving film left Alex, 46, and her co-host Alex Scott, 39, unable to hold it together.
As the duo talked about Children in Need, they introduced The One Show’s Challenge Squad, a group of four inspirational young people who have been helped by the annual charity fundraiser and wish to give something back.
Viewers then met Brianna, a 16-year-old from Ipswitch who is challenging herself in aid of Children in Need by dancing live on TV.
The teen was born with a rare chromosome disorder, which affects her heart, bowels, and vision.
Brianna – whose parents were told to ‘prepare for the worst’ shortly after she her birth – had open heart surgery at just one week old, bowel surgery at two weeks old, and has had six further corrective operations.
Alex Jones was in tears on The One Show following an emotional film (Picture: BBC)
Alex Scott was on hand to comfort her (Picture: BBC)
The Welsh star was unable to speak (Picture: BBC)
‘What scares me the most is not knowing how this is going to affect her in years to come,’ her mum told the cameras.
Brianna’s parents later detailed how their daughter’s condition has impacted her self-esteem and mental health.
As well as having limited vision, dizziness caused by her heart problems, and mobility struggles due to aches and pains, Brianna’s dad said she has little self-confidence due to previous bullying.
‘She doesn’t think at times that she’s worthy, that she’s beautiful,’ he said, tearing up. ‘You never want your kid to feel like that.’
Brianna – a music fan and lover of martial arts – said she wishes she could ‘fit in’ and often ‘blames’ herself for her health struggles.
But thanks to Echo, a Children in Need-funded charity, she’s been able to combat her loneliness and improve her sense of self-worth, hence why she wants to show her thanks by tackling a new sort of challenge.
Brianna, 16, is part of The One Show’s Challenge Squad for Children in Need (Picture: BBC)
Her parents became tearful as they spoke about how her condition impacts her life (Picture: BBC)
When the fundraiser airs on BBC One, she’ll be joined by a Strictly Come Dancing professional to perform a routine, with Welsh TV star Alex meeting Brianna in person to tell her the news.
Understandably, the teen was emotional and shocked, having been forced to give up dancing when she was younger due to being unwell.
As the film concluded, both Alex and Brianna addressed viewers at home, asking for donations and stressing the importance of the cause.
Cutting back to the studio, Alex was wiping her face.
‘Well, I can’t speak,’ she said, overcome with emotion.
‘She is a stand-out human being, she’s amazing, and I can’t wait to see how she does,’ Alex said sweetly.
Alex met the teen to reveal her challenge to her (Picture: BBC)
Adding that the whole thing was ‘so exciting’, football pundit Alex put a hand on fellow Alex’s leg to comfort her.
‘I’m gonna be there, I’m gonna be cheering her on,’ said the former Arsenal player, whose own voice cracked as she read out her lines about hosting Children in Need in November.
‘I can’t wait, I’m nervous for her,’ added the teary One Show host before pleading for donations again.
The One Show airs weeknights at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Children in Need 2023 airs on BBC on November 17.
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‘I can’t speak,’ she said, overcome with emotion.