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Children in Need 2018: 8 highlights, from the EastEnders take on Disney to Jodie Whittaker surprising a Doctor Who fan
The 2018 TV special surpassed last year's record of £50,168,562, with stars from EastEnders, Doctor Who, and Call the Midwife lending a hand
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Your support makes all the difference.Children in Need returned to televisions in 2018 for another night of treats and surprises – especially for fans of Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who, and Call the Midwife – while raising money for a very worthy cause.
Here are the eight highlights from this year's TV charity fundraiser, alongside a reminder that it's not too late to make a donation. You can find out details here.
A record-breaking total
This year's final total at the end of the show racked up to an incredible £50,595,053, surpassing last year's total of £50,168,562 to become the largest amount ever raised by the TV special.
The cast of EasteEders take on Disney
As part of the soap's usual contribution to the show, the cast of Eastenders this year teamed up with none other than Mickey Mouse, who's celebrating his 90th birthday this month.
Their musical spectacular took on some of the most beloved classics from the Disney songbook: "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast, "Let it Go" from Frozen, "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast, "A Whole New World" from Aladdin, and "Friend Like Me" from Aladdin.
There was no solo from Danny Dyer, sadly. It would have been great if he had a crack at "Circle of Life".
Boyzone compete in Strictly Come Dancing
Boyzone's Keith Duffy, Michael Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch all strutted their stuff on the dance floor in the hopes of winning the Pudsey Glitter Trophy, as part of a very special edition of Strictly Come Dancing.
Although all four members of the Irish boy band impressed the judges, it was Shane Lynch who walked away victorious.
Doctor Who's Jodie Whittaker surprises one very special fan
Anna, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, was whisked away to the set of her favourite show, Doctor Who, courtesy of the new Doctor, Jodie Whittaker. She got her own Time Lord makeover before getting to meet the cast.
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She even had a heart-to-heart with Whittaker about the importance of having a female Doctor to look up to. "I think it's good to show the boys that we can do just as much as they can," Anna said.
Viewers were also treated to an exclusive preview of this Sunday's new episode.
A first look at the Call the Midwife Christmas special is revealed
Doctor Who wasn't the only look ahead that audiences were granted, with an exclusive clip also being shown for the Call the Midwife Christmas special, set to air on Christmas Day on BBC One.
Eddie Redmayne and Zoë Kravitz pull a prank on The One Show
The stars of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald tricked presenter Alex Jones during their One Show interview. The pair secretly had a trio of children feed them all the answers, with some quirky results, including Redmayne challenging Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, to an arm wrestling match.
Jamie Cullum performs the Children in Need single
The night was awash with musical performances, with Jamie Cullum responsible for this year's official Children in Need single, titled "Love is in the Picture".
Other musical guests included Anne Marie, Sheridan Smith, Boyzone, Liam Payne, and a choir of 1,466 children – the last on that list performing the song "A Million Dreams" from the film The Greatest Showman.
They were a reminder of what Children in Need is all about: changing the lives of children all across the country for the better, and giving them childhoods as free from fear and isolation as possible.
Amongst the many families profiled over the course of the night were Archie and Stanley. At two weeks old, Stanley became seriously ill. At eight years old, Archie was diagnosed with leukaemia. Their family has had to struggle with the daily reality of two severely ill children. Also highlighted was Sam, who is autistic with severe sensory issues, but whose life has been transformed by his therapy dog Willow.
You can catch up with all the excitement as it happened below. Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
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How can I donate?
You can call in and donate throughout the night by calling 0345 733 2233 or online at bbc.co.uk/pudsey via your credit and debit cards or PayPal account. Standard geographic charges from mobiles and landlines will apply.
You can also do so by text: to donate £10, text DONATE to 70410; to donate £20, text DONATE to 70420; or to donate £30, text DONATE to 70430.
All money earned through fundraising can be paid in at all major banks, building societies and via the Post Office. Just send a cheque or postal order to BBC Children in Need, PO Box 648, Salford, M5 0LB.
Our first treat: a visit to the set of Doctor Who for Anna, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, courtesy of the new Doctor, Jodie Whittaker. She gets her own Time Lord makeover before getting to meet the cast.
"I think it's good to show the boys that we can do just as much as they can," says Anna. Right on!
The current total: £2,550,916
Little Mix introduces us to Sam, who is autistic with severe sensory issues, and was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety at the age of six. Sam's life has been transformed by his support dog, Willow, who has helped give him a support system.
It's the 90th anniversary of Mickey Mouse this year, with Disney teaming up with Eastenders for a musical spectacular. Up first, "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast, followed by "Let it Go" from Frozen, "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast, "A Whole New World" from Aladdin, and "Friend like Me" from Aladdin.
Did Danny Dyer not want to do a number? "Bear Necessities" maybe?
The show's taken time to revisit some of the children featured on the show in the past. Two years ago, for example, Children in Need introduced us to Edward, who was diagnosed with cancer and had given himself the goal to walk again. Well, in 2018, Edward is not only walking again, but he's cancer free. Children in Need funded a play therapist named Anne to work with Edward.
The Children in Need choir, consisting of 1,466 children, have come together to perform "A Million Dreams" from this year's musical The Greatest Showman.
Naomie Harris introduces us to Francesca, who provides hospice at home for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. "These families face struggles everyday that a lot of people aren't even aware of," she says. "Looking after people is an inherent part of who I am. I don't know who I'd be without it."
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