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Children in Need raises record breaking £31m

Doctor Who, JLS and Ellie Goudling were among stars who participated in 2013 Children in Need show

Heather Saul
Saturday 16 November 2013 10:59 GMT
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 Sir Terry Wogan and Tess Daly (right) during BBC Children in Need 2013.
Sir Terry Wogan and Tess Daly (right) during BBC Children in Need 2013.

The BBC's Children in Need appeal has raised a record £31 million, in the same week the British public raised £30 million for survivors in the devastated Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.

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. This figure is expected to increase as donations continue to be made.

The emotional host told viewers it was "a staggering total" for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK and was "beyond our wildest dreams".

"It's hard for me to speak of it, absolutely brilliant," he said.

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

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.

Money raised at local fund raising events throughout the UK is still being sent into the appeal.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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