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Children in Need gets under way Children in Need total tops £11m
(about 4 hours later)
Big names in entertainment, music and sport have joined fundraisers in a big push to raise a record total at the annual BBC Children in Need telethon. More than £11m has been raised so far in the BBC's Children in Need telethon, which has seen performances from a host of stars.
The live seven-hour show kicked off at 1900 GMT with a performance from boy band McFly.
Coronation Street heartthrob Richard Fleeshman has also performed a version of Mr Bow Jangles.
The first total of the night was unveiled as more than £3m and it has quickly risen to £11.5m.
Presenters Terry Wogan, Fearne Cotton and Natasha Kaplinsky are introducing a host of stars trying to beat last year's £33.2m.Presenters Terry Wogan, Fearne Cotton and Natasha Kaplinsky are introducing a host of stars trying to beat last year's £33.2m.
Connie Fisher performs at Children in Need
Connie Fisher, who won BBC One's How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, performed a song from the West End production of The Sound of Music.
Husband and wife Peter Andre and Jordan, also known as Katie Price, performed The Best Things In Life Are Free.
Emma Bunton has given a performance of the official BBC Children In Need single, Downtown, while the cast of soap Hollyoaks performed a version of the song Unbelievable.
Viewers also saw BBC newsreaders pose as James Bond and other characters in a tribute to the 007 films.
An array of fundraising stunts and events have been held across the UK.An array of fundraising stunts and events have been held across the UK.
In London a live concert featuring Jamiroquai, All Saints, McFly, Keane and Girls Aloud kicked off the evening. In London a live concert, hosted by BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles, featuring Jamiroquai, All Saints, McFly, Keane and Girls Aloud kicked off the evening.
How to give: Call 0845 733 2233Log on to www.bbc.co.uk/pudseyHow to give: Call 0845 733 2233Log on to www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey
While Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles hosts the concert at Television Centre, the TV show will see BBC newsreaders pay tribute to 007, Hollywood actor Patrick Swayze perform in Guys and Dolls and Emma Bunton sing the official BBC Children In Need single. The evening has also seen the new voice of the BT speaking clock revealed after a competition raising £200,000 for the cause.
The former Spice Girl will perform her version of the classic Downtown with her fellow stars of Strictly Come Dancing.
Coronation Street heartthrob, Richard Fleeshman has taken to the stage and the new voice of the BT speaking clock has also been revealed after a competition raising £200,000 for the cause.
Sara Mendes da Costa, 40, from Brighton and Hove, was selected from more than 18,000 entrants and will become the fourth voice of the speaking clock since it was established in 1936.Sara Mendes da Costa, 40, from Brighton and Hove, was selected from more than 18,000 entrants and will become the fourth voice of the speaking clock since it was established in 1936.
Husband and wife Peter Andre and Jordan, also known as Katie Price, performed The Best Things In Life Are Free. Record cheque
Meanwhile, the top-ranking apprentices from the BBC show Celebrity Scissorhands have been waiting in the wings to pamper the stars performing on the night. The Children in Need total was boosted by a record amount of cash pledged by BBC Radio 2 listeners.
They raised £2,174,527 - more than £1m above last year's total of £1,066,000.
Singing star Michael Ball made the BBC Radio 2 announcement as he presented a cheque to Sir Terry to loud cheers.
The night has also seen top-ranking apprentices from the BBC show Celebrity Scissorhands pampering the performing stars.
From 12 November, viewers have been voting for their favourite celebrity cutter, with at least 25p from every vote going to Children in Need.From 12 November, viewers have been voting for their favourite celebrity cutter, with at least 25p from every vote going to Children in Need.
These things lose all credibility when the 'celebrities' involved only do so to get publicity Darren, Cheltenham Send us your commentsThese things lose all credibility when the 'celebrities' involved only do so to get publicity Darren, Cheltenham Send us your comments
In Wales, Ronan Keating, Jamelia and The Feeling are appearing at Party for Pudsey in Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay.In Wales, Ronan Keating, Jamelia and The Feeling are appearing at Party for Pudsey in Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay.
In Scotland, the show is broadcast from the corporation's Glasgow base at Queen Margaret Drive.In Scotland, the show is broadcast from the corporation's Glasgow base at Queen Margaret Drive.
However, activities were taking place at other centres including a live outside broadcast at the Aberdeen studios in Beechgrove Terrace.However, activities were taking place at other centres including a live outside broadcast at the Aberdeen studios in Beechgrove Terrace.
And in Northern Ireland cameras were going out and about in Omagh, Warrenpoint, Balleek, Armagh and Derry, as well as the main event in Belfast.And in Northern Ireland cameras were going out and about in Omagh, Warrenpoint, Balleek, Armagh and Derry, as well as the main event in Belfast.
Long historyLong history
The BBC charity was set up in 1989 to help change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. The Children in Need became a registered charity in 1989 with the aim of helping to change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
But the first broadcast appeal for children took place in 1927, in the form of a five-minute radio broadcast on Christmas Day.But the first broadcast appeal for children took place in 1927, in the form of a five-minute radio broadcast on Christmas Day.
The biggest total to date was £34,200,000 in 2004.The biggest total to date was £34,200,000 in 2004.