American Idol Raises Over $60m for Charity

|PIC1|The American Idol "Gives Back" charity shows raised more than $60m last week during a two-night special that had sponsors offer money for each vote casted.

In addition, the show inspired tens of thousands of Americans to join global anti-poverty campaigns.

The show drew a 26.4 million television audience, featuring inspirational songs, skits and video clips of child poverty in Africa and the United States.

More than 70,000 Americans joined anti-poverty campaigns after the show, which included an appeal by Irish rock star and humanitarian campaigner Bono.

Pledges are still coming in and an updated total will be announced on next Tuesday's show.

American Idol took its charity theme very seriously last week as it spared all six finalists from being voted off.

"All your favourites are still in the competition," announced host Ryan Seacrest during Wednesday night's show. "How could we let anyone go on a charity night?"

The news means that all of the remaining finalists will still have at least another week on the programme. Because nobody was cut from this week's performances, however, two of the final six singers will be sent packing this Wednesday.