£40m Sport Relief in virus pledge

THE BBC’s Sport Relief has raised more than £40million – and a large slice could go to those affected by coronavirus.

Host Gary Lineker said the show, broadcast on Friday, was going out in ‘unprecedented’ times and revealed that a chunk of the money raised would go to help those hit by the outbreak.

Despite the defiant stand taken by BBC bosses to press ahead with a live audience, the programme was still affected by the crisis.

A choir comprising schoolchildren and the elderly from South Wales was due to take to the stage following a performance by pop star Rita Ora. But as a precaution, the older group stayed at home and left the youngsters to sing on their own.