Stars for Text Santa telethon revealed

Television's most famous street welcomes one of Britain's biggest pop stars for STV and ITV's Text Santa on Friday, December 20.  Age Scotland, as part of the UK Age Network, is among the six UK charities to benefit from the appeal.

Coronation Street's cobbles have provided the platform for many a VIP visit in the show's 53 years.  This time, they will be the stage for Cheryl Cole, in a sketch specially written to raise money for Text Santa's six chosen charities.

Scriptwriters have penned a storyline that sees Cheryl Cole arrive in Weatherfield and head for the Rovers Return, looking for her childhood friend, barmaid Tina. Cheryl expects to be travelling home to Newcastle with Tina for her mum's Christmas party, but this is Coronation Street where nothing ever goes to plan…

From a spectacular all-singing, all-dancing opening, the Text Santa entertainment extravaganza will feature exclusive performances by Robbie Williams, singing  ‘Dream A little Dream', and Gary Barlow, performing a live piano ballad.  

Text Santa is using its head with "Hats On Display for ‘Hattitude Day", for a special day of fundraising on Friday, December 20.  Anyone who joins in the fun by wearing a hat can donate £1 to Text Santa. 

Ant & Dec have helped design this year's special Text Santa Christmas Hats and Paul O'Grady has emerged from his hit ‘…For the Love of Dogs' series to design a hat for dogs.  These, and children's Text Santa hats, as well as a range of Text Santa merchandise are available across the UK at Morrisons, one of the appeal partners.