Children in Need breaks record as £31m raised

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 and Tess Daly hosted the live charity telethon. Picture: PA

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.

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.

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