Tess Daly & Claudia Winkleman: Strictly hosts collapse after completing 24-hour danceathon

Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly, 49, and Claudia Winkleman, 47, collapsed in a heap yesterday after completing their dance marathon for Comic Relief.

The pair accomplished the longest Danceathon in Red Nose Day history after moving and dancing continuously for 24 hours and five minutes.

The exhausted dancing duo, who have raised over £780,000 for charity already, were pictured embracing each other under a cloud of confetti following their victory.

During the challenge, which was broadcast throughout the day on BBC Radio 2, the pair were joined by several famous faces to keep their moral up.

Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Zoe Ball and TV presenter Davina McCall joined the girls for a twirl on the dance floor during the morning.

They were later joined by presenter Jon Snow and singer Fleur East plus the cast of Mamma Mia the musical and The Rocky Horror Show.

At one point, Strictly professional dancer Anton DuBeke lifted Claudia into his arms to take the weight off her tired and throbbing feet.

Following the gruelling challenge Tess and Claudia both took to their social media accounts to thank their supporters.

Claudia posted: “Thank you so every single person who donated. We’re blown away that over £780,000 was raised for @comicrelief. An enormous thank you to everyone at @bbcradio2 who helped us through. I love you @tessdaly”

While Tess told her 443,000 Instagram followers: “We DID IT. The longest (just over) 24 hour Dancethon for @comicrelief. Can’t walk upstairs to the hot bath my legs are so stiff; but SO proud that you helped us to raise over £780,000 for @rednoseday charities”.

She continued: “Such generosity and kindness shown by everyone who donated. Thank you SO so much.”

The television star, who is married to Vernon Kay, shared a picture at the end of the dance marathon along with the caption: “Here’s me and @claudiawinkle at the end of the challenge with the great @profgregw who plastered our blisters, massaged our muscles which were in spasm (All during the five minute break that we had each hour) and believed we could achieve it. Forever grateful.”

source: express.co.uk