London, November 15 : The star-studded BBC Children in Need charity event managed to raise 40 million pounds this year, despite the credit crunch.

The seven-hour BBC1 extravaganza featured performances by Girls Aloud, Take That and McFly.

The annual fund-raiser from BBC's Television Centre brought Terry Wogan, 70, back to host the even with Tess Daly, 37, and Fearne Cotton, 27.

Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess even danced with professional Anton Du Beke, 42.

Performers from I'd Do Anything, the cast of The Bill and Doctor Who stars also left the viewers spellbound.

Sunderland footballer Anton Ferdinand, 23, also helped raise 2,000 pounds by doing a sponsored silence. He was challenged by his fellow players to keep his mouth shut for a day.

"It was one of the hardest things I have done. It was a lonely day because I do like to talk, but it was worth it," the Daily Star quoted Ferdinand as saying after the challenge.

ANI