Save the date! Text Santa is set to return to ITV on Friday 19 December bringing an evening of non-stop entertainment to our screens.

Together for Short Lives is the UK’s leading charity for children’s hospices and has been chosen as one of six beneficiary charities for this year’s Text Santa, ITV’s annual charity appeal.

The funds raised for Together for Short Lives will support the 53 children’s hospice services across the country including Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in North London.

Alesha Dixon will join the presenter line up for the first time this year. The singer and Britain’s Got Talent judge will join Paddy McGuinness for one hour of the charity appeal extravaganza. Ant & Dec, Phillip Schofield and Christine Bleakley will also present a Text Santa that’s bigger than ever, with chart-topping live music performances and some of the biggest names in show business.

Amongst some of the treats lined up, George Clooney takes part in a specially-written scene of Downton Abbey; The Cube has a unique Text Santa twist and the stars of Coronation Street perform as we’ve never seen them before! The Together for Short Lives appeal film will also feature during the show.

Alesha said: “I'm really excited to be joining the Text Santa team. It's a great show that does fantastic work for people we all know; as the slogan says: ‘It's The Time of Year to Help Those Near’, so I hope everyone digs deep and joins in the fun with me and the rest of the gang on Friday December 19."

Ru Watkins, CEO at Noah’s Ark said; “We’re thrilled to be benefitting from this year’s ITV Text Santa campaign through its partnership with Together for Short Lives.

The funds raised will help us continue providing vital care and support to children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families. Text Santa has an exciting line up of show hosts and it sounds like audiences will be in for a real treat this year!”

Since the appeal launched in 2011, Text Santa has raised £15 million for charities. All funds raised for Text Santa will be distributed equally between the six charities.

Viewers can donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/textsanta.