From weather bombs to Rastamouse Dermot O’Leary’s dance journey clocks up more miles than a marathon

Radio and TV presenter Dermot O’Leary is, as we speak, in the midst of a 24-hour charity dance, and he’s already clocked up more miles than a marathon. 

While we’ve been sleeping, Dermot’s dancing feet have seen him cover more than 30 miles. From sidesteps to slides, Mr O’Leary has pulled off an array of (not always successful) moves, with well over 82,000 steps.

There has also been a fair bit of snacking, which his dance instructor keeps laughing at him for. But, hey, he’s got to keep his strength up. 

It’s all for a good cause of course – he’s raising money for Comic Relief – and everyone, from former Xtra Factor host Caroline Flack to Chaz and Dave, has helped keep Derms moving. Even his mum popped by to kick proceedings off, making fun of his lack of dancing skills as he prepared to undertake the challenge. 

There have been so many people dropping by to say hi, in fact, that on more than one occasion Dermot’s got a tiny bit distracted and has had to be told to head back to the dance floor – including, in the first hour alone, by Strictly host Claudia Winkleman. 

On Twitter, #DancingDermot has been trending, with some particularly wonderful screengrabs of the man in action.

Another great one of @carolkirkwood #dancingdermot pic.twitter.com/9KCh5zNiHg

— nadia dahabiyeh (@nadia_dahabiyeh) March 13, 2015

Tongue out = concentration

Utmost respect/admiration @radioleary show your support #dancingdermot text DERMOT to 70005 to donate £5 #ComicRelief pic.twitter.com/0X0dG7108U

— Seelan Gunaseelan (@seelan1) March 13, 2015

Of course there’s a meme

Kirky's got the moves! #dancingdermot #rednoseday w/ @CarolKirkwood @RadioLeary @Rednoseday @R1Breakfast pic.twitter.com/ZhmRPaY9ty

— Eve Shepherd (@tweets_eve) March 13, 2015

Rastamouse and friends kept things going early this morning

DANCE WITH ME #rastamouse @Rastamouse_irie – text DERMOT to 70005 to donate £5 #dancingdermot t&cs apply pic.twitter.com/tTpkRnS1fP

— Red Nose Day (@rednoseday) March 13, 2015

Sensibly, Dermot has found ways to incorporate stretching into his arsenal of dance steps

Stretch it out @radioleary keep those muscles moving #dancingdermot @BBCRedButton pic.twitter.com/budY7ii3xp

— Red Nose Day (@rednoseday) March 13, 2015

He’s endured ice baths along the way

It's ICE time – the old feet are SHOUTING now. #dancingdermot live on the @BBCRedButton now pic.twitter.com/MkMNpiEixi

— Red Nose Day (@rednoseday) March 13, 2015

And he’s keeping things trendy by ‘Dance bombing’ Carol Kirkwood on the BBC weather

Dance bombing @carolkirkwood on @BBCBreakfast – out into daylight #dancingdermot – text DERMOT to 70005 to donate £5 pic.twitter.com/wHwxe6ou7q

— Red Nose Day (@rednoseday) March 13, 2015

This is an absolute master plan – dancing while sitting

"Say oops upside your head, say…" A welcome sit down for our boy #DancingDermot https://t.co/46ABBMFbqv

— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) March 12, 2015

And if you want to steal some moves, might we recommend this one?

Can you dance like Dermot? In this clip @radioleary demonstrates hands through hair… #DancingDermot https://t.co/7O1cTfExN8

— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) March 12, 2015

Tonight, when he ends up at the main event in London’s Palladium, we’ll find out just how much money’s been donated thanks to his efforts. Until then, Dermot… keeeeep dancing!

Join the fun by hitting the BBC Red Button to watch along live