Alesha Dixon performed on the charity show, meanwhile Tess Daly appeared with pop band JLS and comedian Peter Kay shared a joke with Terry Wogan

Some of the biggest names in the charts hit the King’s Hall in Belfast last night in aid of this year’s BBC Children in Need fundraising efforts, which was on course to smash last year’s total of £700,000.

Within just two hours of kicking off, the show had raised a massive £184,084.

Chart-toppers N-Dubz, Sugababes and Tinchy Stryder performed for Pudsey at the exclusive concert, joined by Ronan Keating, Camilla Kerslake, Escala, Ash, and homegrown favourites, Eoghan Quigg, Sinead Quinn and The Saw Doctors.

Tickets for what was tipped as the hottest gig in town were snapped up ahead of the concert but BBC viewers were able to enjoy the fun, hosted by John Daly, Eamonn Holmes and Claire McCollum.

Speaking ahead of last night’s concert, John Daly said: “I am delighted to be part of BBC Children in Need this year as it's always a thrill to be part of a great night of entertainment and what a fantastic line-up of artists we have performing on stage.

“We want as many people as possible to get on the phone and call in and pledge money for this year’s appeal.

“I know there is not as much money around at the moment, but all the money raised here stays in Northern Ireland so this is a real opportunity to make a huge difference to children and young people in Northern Ireland.”

On Children in Need night last year, Northern Ireland raised over £700,000 for local projects.

Thanks to the generosity of the public across the UK, a record breaking £37.8m was raised, of which almost £3m was used to fund 194 projects throughout Northern Ireland.

Theresa Morrissey, director of finance and sales at the King's Hall Complex, said staff at the venue were pleased to be hosting this year’s concert.

“This is the second year that the King's Hall has hosted the event and it brings such a wonderful |atmosphere and excitement with it,” she said.

Last night’s event was the |culmination in a series of fundraising events which saw BBC presenters supporting the appeal themselves.

Hugo Duncan launched his on-air auction on Monday — which ran until yesterday — and last year raised £23,000 for the appeal.

Up for grabs this year was the chance for someone to have Hugo clean their house, while the highest bidder was offered the opportunity to present alongside Hugo on his popular radio show.