Yesterday at 9:30 am, Sophie Ellis-Bextor completed her 24-hour Kitchen Disco Danceathon. The challenge was set by BBC Radio 2 to raise money for this year’s BBC Children In Need, the singer had raised an amazing £803,384.00 by the morning. However, with many donations still being made the total has now raised to a whopping £1,009,317.00, with many more donations still pouring in the grand total has yet to be confirmed

“I want to thank everybody for giving me the opportunity. This has been really special…”

We are SO proud of you, @sophieEB – you’ve done it AND you’ve now reached an incredible £1,009,317! #R2KitchenDisco pic.twitter.com/QyAivfibTn

— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) November 17, 2021

The Danceathon started on the morning of 16th November 2012 and was streamed live via BBC iPlayer. The philanthropic event saw the singer move and dance for an entire day and night. The challenge took place at the BBC Radio Theatre in London, the stage was constructed to reflect the perfect kitchen for a disco. The “Murder On The Dancefloor” singer donned various glamorous outfits and performed numerous routines involving dancing, ribbons and karaoke.

The singer also performed tracks from her back catalogue including hit songs such as “Take Me Home”. The singer was accompanied by her husband and fellow musician Richard Jones for a rendition of “Murder On The Dancefloor”. The musical duo performed the singer’s most popular track with Jones playing a bass guitar shaped like the Millennium Flacon. Ellis-Bextor was joined by her entire family towards the end of the Danceathon who danced with the singer until the finish line. The danceathon came to a close with a group performance of the beloved and aptly chosen ABBA track “Dancing Queen”.

The 42-year-old singer was joined by multiple guests who also took part in the charity’s 41st year of fundraising. The star-studded and long list of guests included comedian Simon Pegg, Beverley Knight, DJ Edith Bowman, reality TV figures Gemma Collins and Jamie Laing and BBC Radio presenters Zoe Ball and Sara Cox.

Ellis-Bextor and Ball spoke on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show once the danceathon had concluded. The singer held an emotional conversation with Ball whilst kneeling on the stage and stated, “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.” The interview continued with Ball thanking Ellis-Bextor for her involvement in the charity whilst congratulating and admiring her family and giving spirit.

Head of Radio 2, Helen Thomas, has given the following statement concerning Ellis-Bextor’s triumphant success. “All of us at Radio 2 would like to say the hugest thank you to Sophie Ellis-Bextor for agreeing to undertake and now completing an incredible 24 hours Kitchen Disco Danceathon, raising a total so far of £1,009,317 for BBC Children In Need. Thank you to all the wonderful Radio 2 listeners who have donated and all those who joined at any point in the Danceathon to support and motivate Sophie along the way. We are all in awe of her accomplishment!”

The name of the charitable initiative is derived from the weekly “Kitchen Discos” in which Ellis-Bextor held over Instagram live during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. The mini-concerts started in 2020 and featured the singer at home with her family. On 16th July 2020, the singer released her greatest hits album entitled Songs From The Kitchen Disco. The singer’s Kitchen Disco’s also gained attention when formed as a weekly BBC radio show presented by Ellis-Bextor.

The singer has kept the popular theme throughout her career with her 2022 tour entitled Kitchen Disco Tour. Ellis-Bextor will embark on her upcoming tour on 6th March 2022 and will perform in over 20 cities across the UK.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor UK tour dates

06/03/2022 – The Picturedome – West Yorkshire
07/03 – Symphony Hall – Birmingham
08/03 – De La Warr Pavilion – Bexhill On Sea
09/03 – Bath Forum – Bath
11/03 – Pyramid and Parr Hall – Warrington
12/03 – Sheffield City Hall Oval Hall – Sheffield
14/03 – Tramshed – Cardiff
16/03 – G Live Guildford – Guildford
17/03 – De La Warr Pavilion – Bexhill On Sea
19/03 – Lighthouse – Poole
20/03 – The Anvil – Basingstoke
21/03 – Southend Cliffs Pavilion – Southend-On-Sea
23/03 – St Georges Hall – Bradford
24/03 – O2 City Hall Newcastle – Newcastle Upon Tyne
25/03 – Bridgewater Hall – Manchester
27/03 – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – Glasgow
29/03 – Royal Concert Hall Notts – Nottingham
30/03 – The London Palladium – London
12/08 – Chester Lakes – Chester
13/08 – Chester Lakes – Chester

Click here to purchase tickets.

Click here to listen to Kitchen Disco on BBC Sounds.