Saturday, March 13, 1999 Published at 18:22 GMT
Record Red Nose Day
Host of celebrities backed Comic Relief
The organisers of this year's Red Nose appeal are laughing all the way to the bank after Friday's country-wide fund-raising events.
An impressive £16m had been pledged by late Saturday afternoon.
The fund-raising effort was boosted by a six-hour broadcast on BBC Television. It comfortably surpassed the previous record set in 1997 of £11.6 million.
The television fund-raising extravaganza featured everything from pop songs, comedy and a record-breaking attempt to show the biggest number of naked people on television at one time - 101.
All Saints, Ewan McGregor and Geri Halliwell were among the long list of stars lining up to support the cause.
Red Noses everywhere
As ever, millions of Britons donned Red Noses. This year's model is being hailed as a breakthrough - because it honks when squeezed.
More than four million noses were made for this year's fund-raiser. Demand for them was so great that some places ran out.
He may also have broken the record for the longest simultaneous Webcast as the entire show was broadcast live over the Internet.
Funds for Africa and UK
The remainder of the money will go to British charities, helping those who are homeless and have problems with drink and drugs.
A Comic Relief spokesman said: "We are very grateful for the amount the British public has generously donated and are issuing a huge big thank you for making this a record-breaking total and a record-breaking night."
The charity has raised £139 million since it started in 1985.
TV and Radio