Children in Need aired a starstudded spectacular tonight (
Image: CHILDREN IN NEED/BBC)

Children In Need has raised over £45million pounds, as the nation comes together to raise money for charities working with children and young people across the UK. The BBC spectacular is back with some very special guests.

Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay, Paddy McGuinness, Lenny Rush and Big Zuu will all present the BBC charity event, with special collaborations with hit BBC shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Gladiators and The Apprentice.

There will also be an appearance from The One Show Challenge Squad and Lewis Capaldi will perform a special track to mark the occasion. The BBC Children in Need Choir will all come together to perform an arrangement of Coldplay’s track Yellow.

Children in Need kicked off tonight! ( 
Image:
CHILDREN IN NEED/BBC)
As the show kicked off tonight, the hosts appeared to kick off the fundraiser with an appeal video from a number of famous faces including Celebrity Traitors star Cat Burns and Hollywood star Jack Black.

It wasn’t long before Lord Alan Sugar got in on the fun, and was happy to be interviewed by a number of young people when the tables were turned on him – and he soon found himself on the other side of the table.

Lord Sugar was quizzed by some children about whether his kids call him Lord and why he was called Lord Sugar if he was “always so salty”. The kids even came together at the end to shout “you’re fired”.

The hosts spoke to some incredible audience members who had raised thousands of pounds for the charity, including one lady who had been raising funds for Children in Need since its inception.

However, it wasn’t long until fans had their say on the show. One viewer wrote: “I still think #ChildrenInNeed is a good cause but they could do it a lot better. Maybe it’s time to scrap the actual show and do a few specials of normal BBC programmes.”

“This is painful! Used to be Terry Wogan with A listers till the early hours. Now it’s Z listers till 10pm and minimum donation £5! Had its day… #ChildrenInNeed,” a second added. A third shared: “I miss the old #ChildrenInNeed, I really do It died with Terry I think, but bravely they still carry on.”

The BBC were front and centre – as Lenny Rush and his team of young people ‘took over’ some of the biggest shows including EastEnders and Match of the Day. Pretending to be Kat Slater, Phil Mitchell and Billy Mitchell, alongside the real actors who play Alfie Moon and Lauren Branning.

Strictly stars including Neil Jones – who sadly announced the death of his father last night – were on hand for the gameshow segment, which was hosted by Vernon in a sparkly jacket.

In one segment, Bradley Walsh found himself replaced by a mini version of himself as the kids took over Gladiator, whilst McFly star Tom Fletcher was joined on stage by his 10-year-old son Buzz for a performance of Thread of Hope.

Earlier in the day, BBC Radio 2 star Sara Cox completed her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children in Need, where she has so far raised an amazing £7,651,855. Her challenge ended in the village of Pudsey.

“I can’t believe it, oh my gosh, that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I can’t believe it,” she said after she crossed the finish line, “It’s just the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve never known pain like it.

“I’ve never had eye contact with so many amazing women as I’ve run along. It just powered me on just like… at the side of the road, in the driving rain, it was bitterly cold, it was wet and filthy and just so many people came out.”

She added: “The truck drivers honking their horns, the farmers stopping work to come and say hi. The kids by the side of the road. Loads of homemade signs […] It’s just been the maddest, most painful, wonderful thing I’ve ever, ever done.”

Even Prince William was on hand to support Sara, with the Prince of Wales sharing a heartwarming special video message to motivate Sara on her final day. In the video, Prince William said: “Sara, massive congratulations for what you are doing. You are so nearly there, just a little bit further. I know the people of Pudsey will all come out and welcome you with huge open arms, big hugs…and hopefully, lots of your favourite crumpets. Keep going. You’ve done fantastically well, and the nation is so proud of you.”

Tonight, it was confirmed Sara raised a whopping £9.5million with her mammoth challenge