He`s not the greatest dancer, but…

Tuesday 28th April 2015
He's not the greatest dancer, but…
Dermot’s 24 hour Day of Dance for Comic Relief raises an incredible
£1,011,117
One month on, the boogieing, blisters, and ice-baths have all proved worth it, as Dermot
O’Leary today (Tuesday 28th April 2015) announces his epic 24 hour Day of Dance for Comic
Relief has raised a whopping £1,011,117– with the money still rolling in!
Thanks to the great British public – including BBC Radio 2 listeners, BBC Red Button viewers,
and readers of Radio Times – Dermot has smashed the previous total announced on the
night of Red Nose Day (Friday 13th March) of £643,336.
After 24 hours of non-stop side-steps, stomps, and swivels, Dermot O'Leary completed his
Day of Dance for Comic Relief live on the Red Nose Day night of television on Friday 13th
March at The London Palladium. After shimmying his way from New Broadcasting House
through the packed Friday night crowds, Dermot was congratulated live on stage by Lenny
Henry and Davina McCall.
On hearing the new total, Dermot said: “When I first came up with the idea for this
challenge, I had no idea it would grip people in this way, and I'm so proud of what we
achieved together. To know that even in these difficult times the public have dug deep and
donated is just incredible, and on behalf of everyone who will benefit so much from your
generosity I would just like to say a huge, gigantic, mammoth thank you!”
Throughout the day (and night), Dermot was joined by a bevy of big names including
Caroline Flack, Clean Bandit, Daisy Lowe, Ella Henderson, Jamie Oliver, John Bishop, Little
Mix, Kirstie Allsopp, Sam Smith, Stephen Merchant, Tony Blackburn, and special surprise
guest Terry Wogan. There was breakdancing, Morris Dancing, and even Tudor Dancing –
with an exclusive Skype message from James Corden all the way from the USA!
Dermot took on his 24 hour Day of Dance following a trip to Kisumu, Kenya, where he spent
24 hours with street kids. He said of his trip: "It was extraordinary. I met these three young
men – two 12 year olds and a 14 year old – who have had to grow up in an instant because
they don't have the safety net we have in this country. Their lives are so stark, they live on a
day to day basis, they try to make as much money as they can to survive, and all they want
to do is go to school."
“It just galvanized me, to see how they live hand to mouth.”
The BBC Radio 2 star checked in with his DJing colleagues throughout the 24 hours and
every minute of the gruelling dance was streamed live on the BBC Red Button.
It’s not too late to sponsor Dermot for his 24-hour Day of Dance for Comic Relief, visit
rednoseday.com/Dermot.
Money raised through Dermot's Day of Dance for Comic Relief will help give street children
in Kenya a brighter future and also help people living incredibly tough lives in the UK and
across Africa.
- ENDS –
For more information contact:
Comic Relief Media Team
media@comicrelief.com
020 7820 2500
Out of hours: 07984 510 473
Notes to editors
Comic Relief
i.
ii.
Established in 1985, Comic Relief is a major UK fundraising and grant making charity
which uses the power of entertainment to create long-lasting change. Its vision is a
just world, free from poverty. It strives to make this vision a reality by supporting
poor, disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the UK and across some of the world’s
poorest communities to change their own lives for the better.
Discover more at: www.comicrelief.comComic Relief, registered charity 326568
(England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)