Children in Need raises £34m

The appeal show for Children In Need 2018 raised almost £34 million in just a few hours.

Viewers donated £33,949,774 in just the first two and a half hours of the annual appeal programme, which featured special twists for EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing.

Boyzone reunited for their own version of Strictly, undergoing the judgement of the famous panel of experts.

Shane Lynch and Luba Mushtuk beat Ronan Keating, who danced with Gordana Grandosek.

The cast of EastEnders joined the music on the night, performing a medley of Disney songs from Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Frozen as Albert Square moved to the West End.

The show was presented by Ade Adepitan and Tess Daly, followed by Mel Giedroyc and Graham Norton, who revealed huge sums being raised on the night.

BBC Radio 2 listeners raised more than £9 million for children across the UK.