Sophie Ellis-Bextor has raised more than £1 million for 'BBC Children in Need' after completing a 24-hour danceathon.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor after she completed her 24-hour Kitchen Disco Danceathon
The ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ hitmaker embarked on an epic 24-hour Kitchen Disco Danceathon on Tuesday morning (16.11.21) and after dancing all day and night she completed the challenge earlier this morning (17.11.21), at which time she had raised a total of £803,384.
However, since finishing the challenge, people have continued to donate to the cause and she has now generated £1,009,317, at the time of writing, for charity.
Speaking to Zoe Ball on the Radio 2 'Breakfast Show', she said: “What a team, thank you so much. I’ve been so well supported.
“This has been extraordinary. I always thought this would be an privilege to have done and I’ve never done anything like this so I want to thank everybody for giving me the opportunity and I’ve been weepy solidly for the last hour this has been really special and thank you to everybody who donated and everybody who gave me energy and support and messages, it’s got me through.”
Sophie boogied on the dancefloor to handpicked disco tunes and the BBC Radio 2 travel news, and she also sang karaoke with radio DJ Tony Blackburn and managed a multiple of outfit changes in an array of glittery gowns throughout the 24 hours.
She ended her performance with a rendition of Abba's 'Dancing Queen'.
Speaking to viewers watching the live-stream on BBC iPlayer, she said: “I'm such a mess, I can’t stop weeping.”
After the danceathon, Sophie admitted she would be “going for a warm bath”.
An ensemble of stars joined Sophie in her performance on the dancefloor, including Gemma Collins, Rylan Clark, Bonnie Langford, Beverley Knight, JLS, Edith Bowman, Jamie Laing, Melvin Odoom, Sara Cox and Dawn O’Porter.
Sophie admitted the last few hours of the challenge were tough, but she powered through.
She said: "I thought, 'Oh my goodness, maybe I am going to fall into a heap on the ground'. And then I was like, 'Would people feel sorry for me, or would they want their money back?'"
Sophie’s husband, Richard Jones, supported his wife by staying up with her the whole night.
He said: "I feel completely deranged, but Sophie's been amazing. I can't believe the stamina."
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