BBC News | ENTERTAINMENT | Comic Relief set for record

Comic Relief organisers are celebrating after the charity appeal total passed �25m, almost twice as much raised at the same stage in 1999.

Cash is continuing to flow in from events across the country, including an auction of the script for the 5,000th episode of Coronation Street, being held on internet site eBay.

The last Red Nose Day, in 1999, made �35m in total, with �12m coming in over the weekend of the charity appeal.

A spokeswoman said: "We don't usually know what the overall figure is until May because money from people's events that took place on Friday will still be coming in.

Comedian Billy Connolly in London's Piccadilly Circus
More than 12 million people saw Connolly streak
"We are hoping for more than the �35 million. You never can tell, but it looks like we're on the way."

A record amount had also been raised online, with �2m coming from internet donations.

Viewing figures

Comic Relief also attracted bumper viewing figures, as millions tuned in to watch charity stunts on BBC One on Friday.

More than 12.6 million people saw comedian Billy Connolly dance naked around Piccadilly Circus in London when the first �1m was reached, with a group of naked lookalikes storming the studio.

Spoof interviewer Ali G's encounter with David and Victoria Beckham netted 11.9 million viewers, with the Popsters show - a send-up of ITV's hit Popstars - attracting 12.1 million.

Jack Dee's victory in Celebrity Big Brother was seen by 12.3 million people, a 68% share of the viewing audience.

A BBC spokesman said: "Comic Relief 2001 seems to have been the biggest ever, with record donations and viewers tuning in in their millions."


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