Record total for Children In Need

The total is expected to top £25m.

Among the celebrities who performed in the seven-hour telethon were Pop Idol's Will Young, Elton John, Rod Stewart, the cast of EastEnders and boy band Blue.

At the end of the show last year, the total was £1m less, making this year's effort the best ever.

The director of Children in Need, Martina Milburn, told BBC News: "Last year we raised £12.9m (on the night) and ended up with £25m. To get something like £28m this year, that would be really fantastic.

"We'd like the money in as quickly as possible but really we take money all year round so just keep that cash coming."

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All the money raised will go towards helping disadvantaged children to have a better life.

Organisers say this includes children who are chronically ill or profoundly disabled, victims of abuse and those who live in poverty.

Hosted by Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin, the show rattled along with star performance after performance.

Highlights included Elton John singing with Blue, while Will Young surprised one young girl by singing live in her living room. Anthony from Blue said the boy band had been big fans of Children in Need for many years and were honoured to be taking part.

The BBC news, weather and sport team put on a spirited rendition of the Rocky Horror Show while GMTV presenter Eamon Holmes donned an Elvis suit and sang Burning Love.

Afterwards, Mr Holmes said: "I was very nervous and it was just great to get it over with.

"It's one thing to sing in the comfort of your own bathroom but it's another doing it in front of millions of people."

Former Neighbours actress Holly Valance performed her number one hit Kiss Kiss, while TV's What Not To Wear's Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine glammed up for to perform Madonna's Vogue - supported by celebrity backing singers.

There were also outside broadcasts from around the country, where hundreds of people spent the day making fools of themselves as part of the annual extravaganza.

Earlier, television presenter Dale Winton said he was looking forward to the night: "I love Children In Need, it's a very special night.

"It's chaos, but it's the most fabulous chaos when you're here."

The students of BBC 1's Fame Academy presented a cheque for more than £41,000 which included the proceeds of their busking efforts in a London shopping centre.

The contestants managed to raise £900 in an hour of entertaining crowds in the capital.

The final amount raised in this year's Children in Need appeal will not be announced until April.