Sport Relief raises 'a record' £55m

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Sport Relief totalImage source, BBC/Sport Relief

More than £55m has been raised so far for charity on Sport Relief's live TV show, ahead of a weekend of fundraising.

David Walliams, Alesha Dixon, Gary Lineker and Greg James were among those who hosted the BBC show, broadcast from London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Highlights included a Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em sketch featuring tennis siblings Andy and Jamie Murray.

Media caption,

Michael Crawford reprised his role as Frank Spencer, performing all his own stunts

The total of £55,444,906 breaks the previous on-the-night record of £51m.

Britain's Got Talent judge Walliams, who has a long association with Sport Relief, revived Little Britain character Emily Howard for a sketch with former England footballer Peter Crouch.

Image source, BBC/Sport Relief
Image caption,

David Walliams revived Little Britain character Emily Howard for a sketch with ex-England footballer Peter Crouch

Actor Idris Elba starred as Luther in a one-off sketch which reunited him with Ruth Wilson, who plays nemesis Alice Morgan in the BBC One crime drama.

The overall total included money raised by Sport Relief Challenges, including Jo Brand's Hell of a Walk.

The challenge saw the comedienne take on an incredible 135.7 miles as she walked across the UK from east to west, raising £1,159,220.

Image source, PA
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Eddie Izzard is running 27 marathons in 27 days across South Africa

Eddie Izzard is still raising money for Sport Relief by running a gruelling 27 marathons in 27 days across South Africa. He has completed 24 marathons so far.

And BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James raised more than £1m by completing a triathlon a day for five consecutive days, across five different UK cities.

Fundraising efforts will continue on Sunday as the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Games take place around the country.

Image source, PA
Image caption,

BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James raised more than £1m by completing a triathlon a day for five consecutive days