UK Radio Aid raises £3 million

UK Radio Aid has raised more than £3 million for the Asian tsunami disaster today.

The unprecedented collaboration saw more than 250 commercial radio stations, both national and local, abandon their usual schedules between 6am and 6pm to broadcast the fundraising effort.

By the time the show went off air the amount raised stood at an impressive £3,012,345 - more than tripling expectations.

Presenters included Big Brother's Dermot O'Leary and Davina McCall, Zoe Ball, comedian Frank Skinner, Classic FM's Simon Bates, ex chart DJ Mark Goodier, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne and X Factor host Kate Thornton. Former Big Breakfast co-hosts Johnny Vaughan and Liza Tarbuck were reunited for the drivetime slot while Chris Evans returned to radio for the first time in three years to anchor the breakfast show.

Guest appearances came from Prime Minister Tony Blair, Ricky Gervais, the Scissor Sisters, Bono, Mick Jagger and HRH Prince Andrew.

The figure adds to more than £100m already donated by the public in response to the DEC appeal. Donations to Radio Aid can be made at ukradioaid.com.