Channel Seven’s Telethon saw one of the network’s legendary television hosts make a surprise return on Sunday for a good cause.
David ‘Kochie’ Koch, 67, appeared on the panel at RAC Arena in Perth to help the annual event reach a new record total, raising $77.5million in just 26 hours for children’s charities.
The impressive total surpassed last year’s jaw-dropping tally of $71,356,721.
In a video filmed backstage, Kochie encouraged viewers to ring in and make a donation.
‘Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far,’ he said.
The former Sunrise host also challenged other stars to a lip sync battle, dressing up in his AFL club Port Adelaide’s jersey and rocking a blond mullet wig.
Kochie could barely remember the lyrics and didn’t have much time to practice, according to PerthNow.
But the ex-breakfast show presenter still put on a show-stopping performance with his high-energy and enthusiasm.
![David Koch, beloved Sunrise icon, rejoins Seven Network, spearheads remarkable fundraiser for noble cause 1 David 'Kochie' Koch, 67, appeared on the panel at RAC Arena in Perth to help the annual event reach a new record total, raising $77.5million in just 26 hours for children's charities. Pictured with the Rybka twins](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/22/23/76870761-12659833-David_Kochie_Koch_67_appeared_on_the_panel_at_RAC_Arena_in_Perth-m-10_1698012496826.jpg)
David ‘Kochie’ Koch, 67, appeared on the panel at RAC Arena in Perth to help the annual event reach a new record total, raising $77.5million in just 26 hours for children’s charities. Pictured with the Rybka twins
![David Koch, beloved Sunrise icon, rejoins Seven Network, spearheads remarkable fundraiser for noble cause 3 In a video filmed backstage, Kochie encouraged viewers to ring in and make a donation](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/22/23/76870765-12659833-In_a_video_filmed_backstage_Kochie_encouraged_viewers_to_ring_in-m-13_1698012545896.jpg)
In a video filmed backstage, Kochie encouraged viewers to ring in and make a donation
Other stars at the telethon included Kochie’s former co-host Natalie Barr and his successor Matt Shirvington.
Shirvo turned up the heat when he channelled Tom Cruise in Risky Business for his very own lip sync performance.
The Olympian, 44, dressed up as Cruise’s character in the iconic 1983 movie as he took to the stage to recreate a key scene, of him singing Old Time Rock and Roll.
Shirvo looked every inch the superstar in a crisp white dress shirt which he paired with matching boxer shorts and dance shoes.
![David Koch, beloved Sunrise icon, rejoins Seven Network, spearheads remarkable fundraiser for noble cause 5 Elsewhere at the Telethon, Matt Shirvington (pictured) turned up the heat when he channelled Tom Cruise in Risky Business for his very own lip sync performance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/22/23/76871443-12659833-image-a-16_1698013337942.jpg)
Elsewhere at the Telethon, Matt Shirvington (pictured) turned up the heat when he channelled Tom Cruise in Risky Business for his very own lip sync performance
![David Koch, beloved Sunrise icon, rejoins Seven Network, spearheads remarkable fundraiser for noble cause 7 Former Bachelor star Tim Robards also helped out on the day](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/22/23/76871433-12659833-Former_Bachelor_star_Tim_Robards_also_helped_out_on_the_day-a-1_1698013862398.jpg)
Former Bachelor star Tim Robards also helped out on the day
The television presenter danced up a storm on the stage and worked up a sweat while belting out the iconic Bob Seger tune.
Other notable stars in attendance included Dr. Chris Brown, The Bachelor star Tim Robards, former Wiggles star Emma Watkins and SAS Chief Instructor Ant Middleton.
The collective tally raised by Telethon since it began in 1968 hit more than $600million as the fundraiser came to an end on Sunday night.
![David Koch, beloved Sunrise icon, rejoins Seven Network, spearheads remarkable fundraiser for noble cause 9 Ex-Wiggles star Emma Watkins chatted with young children at the event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/22/23/76871437-12659833-Ex_Wiggles_star_Emma_Watkins_chatted_with_young_children_at_the_-a-2_1698013862398.jpg)
Ex-Wiggles star Emma Watkins chatted with young children at the event
![David Koch, beloved Sunrise icon, rejoins Seven Network, spearheads remarkable fundraiser for noble cause 11 SAS Chief Instructor Ant Middleton was also in attendance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/22/23/76871445-12659833-image-a-19_1698013454319.jpg)
SAS Chief Instructor Ant Middleton was also in attendance
And Channel Seven stars weren’t the only ones to help make it happen – Prime Minister Anthony Alabanese donated a whopping $6million from the Federal Government.
‘It’s extraordinary how generous people are and the whole community gets behind it,’ he said.
‘The thing about Telethon is it’s about helping people who really need it — young children.
‘It’s fantastic to see first-hand that every single dollar makes a difference to a young child’s life — and to their family.’
Meanwhile, Nicolas Cage also jumped on board and made an impressive donation out of his own pocket.
The Hollywood legend, who is currently in Yallingup, Western Australia, filming his umpcoming movie The Surfer, made a personal commitment of $5,000.
![David Koch, beloved Sunrise icon, rejoins Seven Network, spearheads remarkable fundraiser for noble cause 13 The collective tally raised by Telethon since it began in 1968 hit more than $600million as the fundraiser came to an end on Sunday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/22/23/76871119-12659833-image-a-14_1698013155452.jpg)
The collective tally raised by Telethon since it began in 1968 hit more than $600million as the fundraiser came to an end on Sunday night