WATCH: Cheryl Cole Joins Girls Aloud For Comeback Debut Performance On Children In Need

WATCH: Girls Aloud Make Comeback Debut For 'Children In Need'

Girls Aloud have made their comeback debut, performing together on the BBC's Children in Need show.

The five sang two songs, the official BBC Children in Need AA side single, 'Something New', and 'Beautiful Because You Love Me'.

There was almost a disaster for one of them - WATCH ABOVE AND KEEP YOUR EYE OUT 50" IN.

Fortunately, all went well and the girls told Sir Terry Wogan and Tess Daley how "special" it was to be back together for the first time in three years.

BBC Children In Need - London

Girls Aloud Comeback

The chair of Children In Need said she is "surprised" but "thrilled" after the appeal raised almost £27 million during this year's live show, beating the 2011 total.

Despite a "tough year", Stevie Spring expressed her delight as the charity extravaganza "pulled out all the stops", raising £26,757,446 over the course of a seven-hour live entertainment show.

The embattled corporation, which is dealing with the fallout of the Jimmy Savile sex scandal and botched Newsnight investigation, raised £26.3 million during the 2011 live show, with the total growing to over £46.9 million after the big night.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Ms Spring said: "I'm surprised and absolutely thrilled, I couldn't be more thrilled.

"Last year we had yet another tough year and we pulled out all the stops and we're up 40%, over 40% this time last year. And last night we absolutely smashed that total again. I think it was absolutely amazing."

The seven-hour live entertainment show was kicked off from London's BBC Television Centre with Sir Terry Wogan, who was joined by TV stars Tess Daly and Fearne Cotton. TV and musical favourites taking to the stage to get the party started included One Direction, with a performance of 'While We're Young'.

David Ramsden, BBC Children in Need chief executive, said: "This year's campaign is bigger and better than ever and people right across the country are once again coming together to raise thousands that will help change the lives of disadvantaged children right here in the UK."

Lord Sugar in Albert Square

Sir Terry referred to the crisis at the BBC in a video segment which he introduced.

The presenter said: "Children should be able to trust adults, that should be a given; our role is to protect them. Sadly, as we know, there are times when adults abuse that trust and in the film we're about to show you, three workers from Children in Need-funded projects who help and support support children and victims of sexual abuse tell us the dreadful effect that abuse has had on young lives, but how, with your help, we can make a difference."

The segment included the statistics that more than one in three sexually abused children do not tell anyone else about it. Last year the appeal raised a record £26,332,334 during the whole night itself. A spokesman for the BBC said that it was too early to comment on the amount raised so far on Friday evening, and that the corporation wanted to wait until the evening had progressed before making a statement.

Highlights on Friday night included an exclusive 'Doctor Who' "prequel" to its Christmas special, featuring the first glimpse of the Doctor with his new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman. There was also a 'Strictly Come Dancing' special with two of the previous most memorable contestants, Ann Widdecombe and Russell Grant.

Strictly special

The programme also night kicked off on Friday night with The One Show BBC Children in Need Special, in which the youngsters involved were welcomed back from a rickshaw challenge. The team raised more than £1.1 million for the appeal after they cycled from Llandudno to London on a rickshaw, covering 411 miles over eight days.

Pictures here...

Geri Halliwell

Children In Need

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