Radio 2 presenter and bona fide karaoke king, Rylan Clark-Neal has completed his 24 hour non-stop karaoke extravaganza.
The former X Factor star turned telly host took part in the marathon vocal event to raise money for BBC’s Children In Need 2019.
The challenge kicked off at the end of the Zoe Ball Breakfast show at 9am on Tuesday 12 November, with Rylan belting out karaoke classics through to 9am on Wednesday 13 November.
It’s now been revealed that he’s raised £1,027,776 so far.
Rylan tweeted: “Woke up to this. No words. (Also no voice) I’m so happy. Thank you so so much to everyone who’s donated and been a part of it all. (Literally) Speechless #KaRYoke @BBCRadio2 @BBCCiN ❤️”
Rylan’s sing-a-long took place at the Radio 2 studios in Wogan House, London and was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, and streamed live in vision on the BBC Red Button where viewers could watch Rylan and his guests perform.
Viewers were also able to send in messages of support for Rylan, which scrolled across the screen, along with details of how to donate via text.
Audiences were able to donate to support Rylan via text donation and through the BBC Children in Need website.
Rylan was joined throughout his 24 hours by famous faces and voices, including his fellow Radio 2 presenters, to lend their support.
There were also be challenges including The Wheel of Karaoke Fortune – a game in which Rylan, joined for each round by a special guest from the world of music and showbiz, must perform any song, decided by the wheel, live on air.
Rylan said ahead of the challenge: “My love of karaoke is absolutely no secret and so I’m incredibly excited to take to the microphone and raise as much as I possibly can for BBC Children in Need.
“Tune in to BBC Radio 2 or via BBC Red Button from 9am on the 12 November to hear me – and my special guests – serenade the Radio 2 family with as many karaoke classics as I can fit into 24 hours.
“And don’t forget to donate!”
Lewis Carnie, Head of Radio 2, added: “BBC Children in Need is a cause close to the heart of the generous Radio 2 listeners, so thank you to Rylan for agreeing to perform a 24 hour karaoke.”
Tommy Nagra, Director of Content, BBC Children in Need, commented: “We’re hugely grateful to Rylan for taking on a challenge that will make a difference to so many disadvantaged children and young people right across the UK.
“It will be no easy task to stay awake for 24 hours, let alone to keep singing non-stop – but all of us at the charity will be cheering him on in this mega fundraising mission.”
Rylan’s 24 hour karaoke is the latest epic Radio 2 challenge following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s Comic Relief 2019 Danceathon, Sara Cox’s 2017 80’s Danceathon and Dermot O’Leary’s 24 hours of dance in 2015.
More on: Children In NeedThe X Factor
