Sport Relief raises 50 million pounds for charity through TV marathon

London, Mar 25 (ANI): The Sport Relief charity television marathon, which showcased a string of comic sketches and feats of endurance by athletes and celebrities, raised 50 million pounds after a night of entertainment.

The total sum was confirmed as 50,447,197 pounds, which is 21 million pounds more than the amount raised last year, the Telegraph reported.

Comedian Miranda Hart took on Tim Henman in a game of tennis while a one off special of 'Absolutely Fabulous' featured stars including Kate Moss, Stella McCartney, Linford Christie and Colin Jackson.

"What an amazing, stunning total. We always hope to beat the previous amount, but to do it so spectacularly is just incredible," said Fearne Cotton, who was hosting the television fund-raising event.

"Huge thanks to the British public who, once again, have shown enormous generosity to help those in need," Cotton added.

The star-studded event drew to a close at 1.30 am on Saturday morning.

It featured a one-off special of sitcom 'Outnumbered' featuring Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley in an encounter with the Brockman family.

England footballers Rob Green, Glen Johnson, Theo Walcott and current captain Scott Parker took on 'Saturday Kitchen' presenter and celebrity chef James Martin in a special edition of the BBC One show's 'Omelette Challenge'. Defender Johnson emerging as the winner - despite a few broken shells.

Comedian Frank Skinner overcame a lifelong phobia of water by swimming 25 metres to raise money for Sport Relief.

Skinner underwent eight weeks of physical and psychological training in order to finish the swim, which he completed despite what he described as "one of my little panics".

Other appearances included the stars of ITV comedy 'Benidorm' on a special edition of Britain's Got Talent and a performance from boyband JLS.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell announced that the UK Government will match 10 million pounds of public donations to Sport Relief. (ANI)