Presenter to finish BBC Children in Need endurance cycle challenge | Global News Avenue

BBC Radio 2 presenter Paddy McGuinness will complete his epic Children In Need bike challenge on Friday after cycling 300 miles on a Chopper bike.

The 51-year-old former Top Gear and Question of Sport presenter raised more than £6.5 million during his five-day journey from Wrexham to Glasgow.

“Everything is sore this time of the morning, as usual,” McGuinness said before starting the final 18-mile stage.

“But I’ve just arrived where we were starting from and it’s dark and drizzling and people are already here wishing me well so you can’t help but be in a positive light mind that.”

McGuinness will learn how much he has raised through his ultra-endurance challenge at this year’s televised Children in Need appeal, which starts on BBC One at 19:00 GMT on Friday.

McGuinness will arrive at the finish line at the BBC studios in Glasgow earlier in the day.

He was joined on Thursday by Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and received messages of support from astronaut Tim Peake, Phoenix Nights co-star Peter Kay and hundreds of listeners.

Kay’s message told him: “Cross the finish line and buy yourself a delicious piece of garlic bread. That’s the way to Glasgow Villa!”

McGuinness’s fundraising total will be significantly increased after Scottish businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunt said he would double all donations from Wednesday to a maximum of £3 million.

The Bolton-born star said the people he met who benefited from projects funded by BBC Children in Need inspired him to take on the challenge.

“When you meet these people … that’s what keeps you going, when you see the work that’s going on in and around it, and again, when you’re out and about, there’s just people stopping me,” he said.

Last year, another Radio 2 presenter, Vernon Kay, raised more than £5 million for disadvantaged children After completing an ultramarathon.

The DJ ran from Leicester to Bolton, covering 116 miles in four days.

Children in Need is the BBC charity for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

Since its first major fundraising launch in 1980, the organization has raised more than £1 billion for charities and projects.

BBC One’s live entertainment extravaganza on Friday will feature three hours of comedy, music and surprise guests.

Ade Adepitan, Chris Ramsey and Rochelle Humes will host the show alongside Kay, Mel Giedroyc and Lenny Rush.

One of the most anticipated elements of this year’s appeal is New version of Girls Aloud’s single “I’ll Stand By You”the lead vocals were sung entirely by late band member Sarah Harding.

The ballad was originally released as a Children In Need song in 2004 and topped the UK charts for two weeks. The reissue of the 20th anniversary edition will once again raise funds for charity.

A new version of the music video will be screened on Friday’s The Appeal, featuring unseen archival footage.

Other highlights of the night included Doctor Who star Nooty Gatwa giving a preview of the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special.

Doctor Who fans will have the chance to own memorabilia from the show when two items go up for auction.

Singer Ella Henderson will also perform, while pop star Kylie Minogue has recorded a special message that will be played throughout the evening.

Audiences can also look forward to visits from Gladiators stars and special performances from Strictly Come Dancing, where professionals will perform alongside TV character Bluey.

Actor Gary Oldman will read a CBeebies bedtime story, which will be broadcast as part of the show.

BBC Children in Need will air on Friday 15 November at 19:00 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.