Children in Need raises record breaking £37m

Nov 16 2008 By Euan Hamilton

AN ABBA tribute by the BBC's newsreaders saw money, money, money pouring in as Children in Need raised a record-breaking £37million.

The broadcasters, led by Fiona Bruce, joined the fund-raising fun in 70s costumes to perform a medley of tracks from the Swedish supergroup.

A total of £20,991,216 was counted after the seven-hour TV extravaganza - topping last year's record of £19,089,771 - but that is set to double as pledged cash pours in.

An astonishing 11,400,000 viewers tuned in - 100,000 more than last year.

Presenter Terry Wogan claimed it was "the greatest Children in Need since we started" despite the economic crisis.

Reformed boy-band Take That made one of the largest donations, adding £250,000 after singing their new song Greatest Day.

Another highlight was Wogan's lumbering attempt to beat Tess Daly in the Strictly Come Dancing dance-off which judge Bruno Tonioli charitably described as "a good performance for radio".

The cast of Coronation Street joined in the fun by taking some expert fashion advice from How To Look Good Naked's Gok Wan, who dressed in drag.

And there were routines from the casts of EastEnders and The Bill.

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