This year’s Children in Need appeal has raised more than £39 million to help disadvantaged young people across the UK – with the total amount set to rise further.

It includes £8.8 million raised by presenter Paddy McGuinness during his five-day cycling challenge from Wales to Scotland, on a children’s Chopper bike.

The annual live TV show took place on BBC One on Friday evening, with stars of Strictly Come Dancing, Gladiators, Outnumbered and Doctor Who coming together to help raise funds.

Celebrities featured on the three-hour show included Graham Norton, Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue and Gary Oldman.

BBC Radio 2 presenter McGuinness appeared in the Salford studio, fresh from completing his epic cycling journey which ended in Glasgow earlier today.

The former Top Gear and Question of Sport presenter, 51, traveled from Wrexham, almost 300 miles away, on Monday.

There were huge cheers from the audience when Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy arrived to reveal the final total of McGuinness’ fundraiser on the main Children In Need TV show.

“I’m literally under these clothes, it’s just Sellotape and safety pins,” McGuinness said.

The Bolton-born star said he was motivated to take on the challenge by the people he met who were benefitting from projects funded by BBC Children in Need.

The televised appeal was hosted by Ade Adepitan, Chris Ramsey and Rochelle Humes, alongside Vernon Kay, Mel Giedroyc and Lenny Rush.

Highlights included Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa previewing the show’s Christmas special.

And the on-screen family from sitcom Outnumbered reunited for a sketch, ahead of their upcoming festive special.

Viewers were also treated to a visit from the stars of Gladiators, while there was a special performance of Strictly Come Dancing as the professionals were joined by cartoon character Bluey.

A poignant moment was the premiere of the video for this year’s Children in Need single – a new version of Girls Aloud’s I’ll Stand By You, with the lead vocals sung entirely by late band member Sarah Harding.

The ballad was originally released as a Children In Need song in 2004 and topped the UK charts for two weeks.

The new version uses Harding’s rediscovered solo recording, with previously unreleased archival footage used in the video. Harding died in 2021 at the age of 39.

Also on Friday, there was a performance by singer Ella Henderson, while pop star Kylie recorded a special message.

Oscar winner Oldman also recorded a special CBeebies bedtime story for the series.

Children In Need is the BBC’s charity for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

The national total for last year’s evening was £33.5 million and the overall fundraising total for the 2023 appeal was £48.8 million.

In total, Children in Need has raised more than £1 billion for charities and projects since its first major appeal in 1980.