An emotional and exhausted Paddy McGuinness was left speechless during BBC Children In Need on Friday after raising a jaw-dropping amount for charity.
The former Top Gear host, 51, undertook a 300-mile bike ride, beginning in Wrexham, Wales, on Monday and crossing the finish line in Glasgow on Thursday.
During the show, Paddy was presented with a check by former track cyclist Sir Chris Hoy as it was revealed that he had raised £8,856, 580.
Joining the presenters Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay, Chris Ramsey and Lenny Rush on stage, the comedian was left in shock.
Paddy said: ‘Underneath these clothes its all sellotape and safety pins. But when you’re in it you kind of just get on with it.’
An emotional and exhausted Paddy McGuinness was left speechless during BBC Children In Need on Friday after raising a jaw-dropping amount for charity
During the show, Paddy, 51, was presented with a check by former track cyclist Sir Chris Hoy as it was revealed that he had raised £8,856, 580
He continued: ‘The actual joy of doing it, you can’t call it a challenge. Honestly it’s a privilege. The feeling of love, community, and people coming together, it’s the best feeling in the world and I’ll never forget it.’
Paddy joked that he was ‘thinking of buying shares in Kleenex’ as he had used so many throughout the ride.
On Thursday, he thanked supporters who he said kept him going on his 300-mile charity cycle ride.
The TV personality undertook the challenge on his dream childhood bike, a Raleigh Chopper, painted in the colours of the charity mascot Pudsey.
Shortly before 9am on Friday, Paddy received a surprise visit from businessman Sir Tom Hunter who pledged to match every donation up to £3 million through his Hunter Foundation.
He was also joined for some of the Scottish leg by Olympic cycling hero Chris Hoy, in a moment described by the TV presenter as an ‘absolute treat’.
Concluding his incredible cycling journey at BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay headquarters, Paddywas met with crowds of people lining the streets in support of his charitable efforts.
Describing the moment he turned the last bend of the ride, he said: ‘I came around the corner there, what a sight, what a feeling, thank you so much everybody. Wow’.
Joining the presenters Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc , Rochelle Humes , Vernon Kay , Chris Ramsey and Lenny Rush on stage, the comedian was left in shock
The former Top Gear host undertook a 300-mile bike ride, beginning in Wrexham, Wales, on Monday and crossing the finish line in Glasgow on Thursday
He was joined on the Scottish leg of his ride by former Olympian Sir Chris Hoy
Speaking after his charity odyssey, the comedian added: ‘It sounds corny and cheesy, but honestly, every single person is what kept them pedals turning.’
Going on to reflect on the magnitude of the funds raised, the former Top Gear host remarked: ‘It’s a moment in time I will take to my grave, and I will never forget it’.
In his post-cycle comments, Paddy also reflected on the challenges which were presented by riding a bike designed for children over such a great distance.
‘You’re in a stressed position all the time when you’re riding it. So that’s why my back keeps seizing up… my knees have gone now, they’re completely shot’, an exhausted Paddy shared.
Thankfully for the TV host though, a physio was on hand at every juncture of the journey to ensure he crossed the finish line on Friday morning.
McGuiness later described Hoy’s presence on the ride as ‘an absolute treat’