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TV detectives Burke and Rebus will feature in their first TV battle on BBC Children in Need appeal night on Friday 20 November on BBC One Scotland.

Scotland's greatest detectives from the TV series Taggart and Rebus will battle it out against one another. The sketch will pitch tough-talking DCI Matt Burke against hard-man DI John Rebus for the first time ever. But who will be victorious?

Actor Ken Stott said: "Inspector Rebus is a great character so when the opportunity came up to revive the role for BBC Children in Need, and really have a bit of fun with it, I was happy to take part.

"This is the first – and probably the last – time viewers will get to see two of Scotland's grisliest detectives in the same scene, so I hope they enjoy it. Alex and I had a lot of fun with the scene. It was a real battle of the TV 'tecs. Viewers will have to tune in to see who comes out on top in the Taggart v Rebus battle."

Actor Alex Norton said: "I originally thought of getting these two characters together for BBC Children in Need last year, but we couldn't get Ken at the time. We've managed this year and the sketch is even better than I'd hoped for – it's very, very funny.

"I completely support BBC Children in Need and I'm always delighted to do things for them. It's good to know that whilst we're having fun, something great is being achieved."

Notes to Editors

This year's BBC Children in Need Appeal night takes place on Friday 20 November on BBC One.

Other acts confirmed to appear on BBC One Scotland include:

• Live performances from Paolo Nutini and Little Boots.
• Sketches: Rebus and Taggart; River City's Scarlett invites the family round for a Come Dine With Me date; Kirsty Wark and Kirsty Young appear as The Two Kirstys in their take on The Two Ronnies.
• Danny Macaskill and Scotland's stunt cycle team are live in BBC's Pacific Quay performing tricks and turns.
• The Man Who Cycled The World, aka Mark Beaumont, will be live from Peru, where he's currently cycling the Americas.
• Plus, four very special appeal films from charities who have benefited from BBC Children in Need grants this year.

NR3