Children in Need raises record £31m after star-studded live show

 
For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only. BBC handout photo of Sir Terry Wogan and Tess Daly (right) during BBC Children in Need 2013. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday November 15, 2013. Photo credit should read: Kieron McCarron/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
Staff|Agency16 November 2013
The Weekender

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for exclusive competitions, offers and theatre ticket deals

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

The BBC's Children in Need appeal has raised a record £31 million for disadvantaged children and young adults in the UK.

Sir Terry Wogan fired up the "totaliser" for the final time on the live entertainment show to reveal the record-breaking sum of £31,124,896.

The emotional host told viewers their kindness continues to give hope to the most vulnerable people in the nation.

The on-the-night total surpassed last year's £26 million.

The public's show of generosity comes in the week that £30 million was raised in a UK appeal for those affected by the Philippines typhoon disaster.

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only. Undated BBC handout of "McBusted" during the Children in Need show as the appeal raised a record £31 million for disadvantaged children and young adults in the UK. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday November 16, 2013. Sir Terry Wogan fired up the "totaliser" for the final time on the live entertainment show to reveal the record-breaking sum of £31,124,896. The emotional host told viewers their kindness continues to give hope to the most vulnerable people in the nation. The on-the-night total surpassed last year's £26 million. See PA story SHOWBIZ ChildrenInNeed. Photo credit should read: Kieron McCarron/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.

Highlights of the show included Olympic champion ice dancers going head to head in a special edition of Strictly Come Dancing - as Torvill and Dean became Torvill vs Dean.

Comedian Harry Hill and a cast of celebrity cameos offered up a remake of A-ha's classic Take On Me music video while the cast of EastEnders took part in a dance-off in Albert Square.

Ellie Goulding performed the official BBC Children in Need single How Long Will I Love You, and the cast of West End hit musical The Commitments closed the programme with a medley of songs.

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only. Undated BBC handout photo of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (left) dancing for BBC Children in Need 2013. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday November 15, 2013. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.

The total is set to increase as money raised at local events throughout the UK is sent in to the appeal.

An average of 9.7 million people watched the fundraising show from 7.30pm to 10pm, with a peak of 10.4 million viewers during a mid-evening segment that saw Torvill and Dean dance live. The peak was almost two million more than the same time in the 2012 show.

Veteran broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan, BBC Children in Need Life President, said: "Every year the BBC Children in Need Appeal night is a testament to the extraordinary generosity of the British people. Thank you for a wonderful total and all you have done for BBC Children in Need."

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only. BBC handout photo of McBusted during BBC Children in Need 2013. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday November 15, 2013. Photo credit should read: Jack Barnes/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.

Tony Hall, BBC Director-General, added: "People from around the country have joined together to raise a simply staggering sum of money for disadvantaged children.

"I am never prouder of the BBC than on Children in Need Day. On behalf of all at the BBC, I'd like to thank the staff, the stars and the Great British public for making this another day to remember - one that will help give thousands of children in the UK the chance to reach their full potential."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in