Comic Relief Danceathon 2019: Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly kick off their epic 24-hour dance effort

Strictly Come Dancing power duo Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have officially kicked off their 24-hour danceathon for Comic Relief.

The TV presenters have vowed to show off their best moves to music dating from the 60s to the present day in a bid to raise money for charity.

The pair are hopeful they will break radio host Sara Cox’s 2017 record by shimmying over the one-day mark.

Kicking off the event on BBCR2 on Monday, the pair said: “We feel slightly wobbly but very excited to be here. We’re going to try and pace ourselves and not get too excited. Let’s hope they don’t play Beyoncé!”

Radio DJ Jo Whiley teased the pair by getting the event started with Beyonce’s iconic 2003 hit track Crazy in Love.

They then side-stepped straight into Bruno Mars’ 2014 popular track Uptown Funk.

Winkleman joked that she “laid down all day” in a bid to prepare for the a mammoth task, while Daly told how she was mourning her bed, which she “will not see for a very long time.”

Speaking ahead of the danceathon, Winkleman said: “I know it’s going to be hilarious to watch because we’re pretty bad dancers – I’m not very good at standing, let alone dancing.

“Thankfully we’ll have each other and we’re going to push through to raise as much money as we can for Red Nose Day.”

Winkleman and Daly’s danceathon can be livestreamed via the BBC Red Button and across all BBC Radio 2 shows.