±«Óãtv

±«Óãtv London 94.9FM's special gala performance of hit musical Mamma Mia! last night at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London has raised a staggering £45,885.50 for ±«Óãtv Children in Need thanks to generous listeners.

This is the biggest amount of money that ±«Óãtv London 94.9 listeners have ever raised for ±«Óãtv Children In Need in a single event. All money raised last night will go towards helping disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

There was also a special surprise in store for the glamorous audience with Pudsey taking to the stage himself at the end of the show in his very own ABBA outfit.

Pudsey and the Mamma Mia! cast were then joined on stage by Sony Award-winning ±«Óãtv London 94.9FM morning show presenter Vanessa Feltz and afternoon host Danny Baker, who were delighted to hand over the cheque for £45,885.50 to Pudsey and ±«Óãtv Children in Need.

Vanessa Feltz said: "It really was the most sensational evening! It was completely and utterly delightful to see everyone in their glad rags. We raised more money than ±«Óãtv London has ever raised, over £45,000! It was an absolute joy!"

Vanessa will also be hosting a live evening show on Friday 20 November backstage from ±«Óãtv Television Centre from 10.00pm until 1.00am, simulcast across many ±«Óãtv regional radio stations.

The full face value of all tickets and any booking charges for the night were donated to the Children in Need Appeal by Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia! Producer Judy Craymer said: "Mamma Mia! has always been delighted to support Children in Need. We were happy to give this special gala performance and it's fantastic to hear just how much money has been made for such an exceptional charity."

This is the first year that ±«Óãtv London 94.9FM has teamed up with a West End show.

Mamma Mia! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Bjorn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

With thanks to Mamma Mia! and Delfont Mackintosh Theatres.

LH