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BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James completed his epic 1,000km tandem bike challenge for Comic Relief.

Following eight days of gruelling effort, BBC presenter Greg James completed his enormous cycling challenge for Comic Relief on Friday afternoon, having covered 1,000km on a tandem bicycle.

Setting off from Weymouth on Friday 13th, the 40-year-old journeyed across England, Wales and Scotland, concluding his expedition in Edinburgh.

Whilst celebrity companions including Jamie Laing and Prince William joined him en route, he tackled the final leg of his ride solo.

During Friday night’s live Comic Relief broadcast (March 20th), Greg appeared alongside Davina McCall on stage to discover his fundraising total. Davina announced he’d amassed an incredible £4,225,939 as the audience broke into thunderous applause.

He responded: “Wow! Thank you to everyone who donated, wow.” Standing momentarily lost for words, spectators began chanting his name in solidarity, reports Wales Online.

Though the BBC broadcaster protested: “I’m uncomfortable with this, please stop. I’m uncomfortable with this. I said, when I finished today, I said please I’ve had too much praise for this now.

“It was a daft idea to raise money and awareness of this amazing charity that Comic Relief supports.

“Can I say one thing? Treat people like you’re treating a minor celebrity that’s riding a tandem past you. There’s too much coming my way, put it somewhere else!”

Discussing his progress thus far, Greg revealed he’d begun cycling in the early hours of this morning. He said: “I’m overjoyed with how much money we’ve raised with this thing and how joyful we’ve managed to make the tandem adventure!”

Meanwhile during the BBC programme, Davina was reduced to tears upon hearing the devastating account of one mother who lost her infant to malaria.

Having chosen to work on the frontline and gain medical knowledge to assist women in the community, preventing the same anguish she’d experienced, Davina became visibly emotional.

As the pre-recorded clip concluded, she said: “Mothers, helping mothers. I love that.

“Community health workers are needed now more than ever. Comic Relief, with your donations, is supporting projects like LWALA and people like Susan, who are helping to save lives.

“She went through something so terrible, and she decided to help others save the lives of their children.

“All of us watching tonight, we’ve all got something in common. We all made it past our fifth birthday, but isn’t that something that every child deserves? Please pick up your phones right now.”

Comic Relief: Funny For Money is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

BBC’s Comic Relief saw host Davina McCall issue an apology during the live show after Nick Mohammed used explicit language during a Rubik’s Cube challenge on Friday night

Presenter Davina McCall addressed viewers watching Comic Relief on Friday night (March 20) following Nick Mohammed’s strong language.

During the BBC programme, which featured Catherine Tate reprising her role as Nan, Celebrity Traitors star Nick was tasked with completing eight Rubik’s Cubes in one minute.

Supporting him on stage was his mate and former Celebrity Traitors co-star Joe Marler, who was dressed up in drag.

When the clock started, it was obvious the comedian was flustered as at one point he was heard saying: “F**k” before later adding “s**t”.

However, Nick didn’t manage to successfully complete any Rubik’s Cube at all before revealing he had been creating a pattern instead, reports Wales Online.

He said: “Ok, right. I was a little bit distracted. But, in all honesty, I was still feeling a little bit guilty for betraying Joe all those months ago.

“So, instead of actually solving the Rubik’s Cubes, I actually just had something that I did want to say to Joe.”

As he turned the items over, the red colours on the blocks spelled out the word ‘sorry’, which earned a huge round of applause from the audience, along with a hug from Joe.

However, Davina quickly addressed the explicit swear words Nick had uttered during his 60 seconds. She commented: “Before we go any further, we just want to apologise if anybody heard any bad language there. It was a very high-stress situation.”

Nick appeared oblivious to the fact he’d sworn on live television as he questioned whether the ‘bad language’ Davina mentioned was his doing. The BBC presenter added: “I’m not sure, let’s not go over it again!”

Throughout the fundraising evening, Davina was accompanied by several guests to assist with co-hosting duties. Initially, viewers were treated to Joel Dommett and Catherine Tate as Nan.

Nick subsequently joined her for the programme’s second segment before Katherine Ryan finally came aboard to conclude the event.

During the broadcast, Davina welcomed Greg James to announce the final sum he’d accumulated over eight gruelling days completing a mammoth cycling challenge.

She informed the radio presenter he’d raised an impressive £4,225,939 as the audience burst into applause.

He responded: “Wow! Thank you to everyone who donated, wow.” Left momentarily lost for words, the crowd began chanting his name in appreciation.

Comic Relief: Funny For Money is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Davina McCall and Joel Dommett hosted BBC Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day special, with the TV presenter forced to caution viewers

BBC Comic Relief’s Davina McCall found herself compelled to issue a warning to viewers just moments into the programme.

The charity fundraiser made its annual return to our telly screens on Friday (March 20) evening, as the Red Nose Day squad tackled the biggest night in comedy and entertainment.

TV favourite Davina took on presenting responsibilities, joined by co-host and close mate Joel Dommett for the entire evening’s entertainment.

They were joined by comedic luminaries such as Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed and Catherine Tate (reprising her role as Nan from The Catherine Tate Show).

This year’s live broadcast once again brought more energy and enthusiasm than ever before. The three-hour extravaganza kicked off with a special message from Sir Lenny Henry, who retired from his hosting duties back in 2024, and a musical number from Catherine Tate, reports Wales Online.

However, early into the proceedings, Davina found herself obliged to issue a warning to viewers when the cast of The Play that Goes Wrong provided a step-by-step guide on how to donate to Comic Relief during the show.

The programme switched to a clip of the cast performing a skit involving some perilous stunts. Following the clip, Davina began by saying: “Thank you so much to the cast of the Play that Goes Wrong. Smashing… literally.

“The actors used specially designed fake props and are all professionally trained in the art of tomfoolery.”

She cautioned: “Please do not try anything that you saw at home, especially taking a swig from the bottle marked with a warning and skull and cross bones label.” Joel chimed in: “Don’t do that.”

The charity event, held at Salford’s MediaCity, showcased sketches from Amandaland, the Bank Job featuring the dynamic This Morning pair Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond, and The Traitors: The Movie – The Sequel.

Communities, workplaces, schools and families have contributed to raising more than £1.6 billion over the past 41 years, benefiting over 100 million people, according to Comic Relief.

The charity has been instrumental in supporting communities by offering food, healthcare and shelter to those most in need. Meanwhile, Greg James participated in a colossal Comic Relief challenge, which saw him raise over £4million.

He embarked on his journey from Weymouth on Friday 13 March. The star endured eight gruelling days of pushing himself to the extreme, cycling through England and Wales before crossing the finish line in Edinburgh on Friday 20 March.

Comic Relief: Funny For Money is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Davina McCall has opened up about one of her concerns ahead of the Comic Relief programme due to be broadcast on the BBC and YouTube simultaneously for the first time

TV host Davina McCall has joked that she is “mildly terrified” of one of her Comic Relief colleagues.

Davina, 58, will be co-hosting Comic Relief alongside a bevvy of different comedians and television personalities and has opened up about her fears ahead of the programme this evening (Friday, March 20).

Speaking to Bella magazine, Davina said: “What’s so nice is that I’m hosting with Joel Dommett, and Joel’s actually one of my best friends!

“So, it’s great to be presenting with him. Knowing that I’m with him while also presenting with Nan (Catherine Tate) is very reassuring, because actually, I am mildly terrified of Nan, if I’m honest.”

Davina also spoke of her job in making sure all the celebrities who do appear and take part on stage don’t break any rules, including when it comes to swearing.

She added: “How I’m going to stop her from swearing, I just don’t know! Obviously ‘please do not swear’ was my catchphrase – so I’m going to have to stay on my toes.”

Davina’s opening up about being on guard and making sure everyone behaves during Comic Relief comes after the former Big Brother spoke out about her health.

Earlier this year, she backed a call by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) to improve the understanding between menopause and mental health.

The menopause occurs when periods stop because of a drop in hormone levels. It can take place between the ages of 45 and 55, but can sometimes happen earlier. During the transitional phase, known as the perimenopause, a variety of symptoms can hit people.

Speaking about the impact of those symptoms Davina, an honorary fellow of RCPsych spoke of the wider impact of the menopause on someone’s life, reports the Independent.

Davina, who has also battled breast cancer and a brain tumour in recent years, said: “Some women sail through the menopause unscathed. But some don’t, and the impact on their mental health can be devastating and have a huge impact on their lives and their relationships.

“Together, we must make the link between mental health and menopause known across society, among health professionals, NHS, government, members of the public and employers, to improve the policies, care and support provided for all women experiencing menopause.”

Meanwhile, the Comic Relief broadcast is set to begin at around 7pm on BBC One from MediaCityUK in Salford. As well as streamed on the BBC, it will go out live on the BBC’s YouTube channel.

BROADCASTER Greg James sobbed as he spoke about his dad’s recent stroke on day two of his 1,000km tandem bike ride for Red Nose Day.

Earlier this month the Radio 1 host, 40, had to cancel his show and rush home after his beloved father Alan Milward suffered a stroke during a planned heart operation.

Greg, who took off from stormy Weymouth in Dorset on Friday will ride solo all the way to Edinburgh by next Friday.

Undertaking the mammoth task to raise money for Red Nose Day just a week after his dad’s stroke, Greg got on emotional talking about the man he calls “Big Al.”

“I feel elated. I feel a bit overwhelmed by all these people who just turned up out of nowhere. I just burst into tears as I was going up to Blaenavon. It was all a bit much,” Greg said on BBC Radio 1 after the second day of his ride.

“Just thought about… I just thought about everything. Just thought about my dad, thought about my mum. It got way too much. It’s so silly. It must have been the altitude.”

RED KNEES DAY

Greg James reveals secret that’ll keep him going on bike for Red Nose Day

pedal power

Greg James Comic Relief cycle challenge route map, tracker and how to donate

Greg continued: “And then someone gave me a Wales flag and I was holding that and I thought about my old nan, and she’s Welsh. And then I just thought about everything and then everything just made me cry, and I just felt really overwhelmed by it all. 

“But the day is done, and I actually can’t believe I’ve managed to get to Abergavenny.”

Before heading off on his mammoth mission, Greg opened up to The Sun about his gruelling training regimen.

“I have been training really hard on my bicycle from about Christmas, and every day has been leg day,” he said.

“It’s been a f***ing nightmare. But it’s all for a good cause and totally worth it.

“I have done thousands of miles, either out in the real world or on a bike in the spare room with a laptop propped up watching Heated Rivalry.”

Greg also confirmed he has an upbeat playlist to keep him going.

He said: “The song I just can’t stop listening to is Aperture by Harry Styles. I’ve also got a lot of Chemical Brothers because that’s just nice, upbeat, good dance music.”

Vernon Kay, Sara Cox, Jo Whiley and Scott Mills have been cheering him on, while Jamie Laing and Mollie King have been offering advice following their own challenges.

Greg, who has affectionately named his bike Tando Norris, is still hoping for a message of support from Formula One McLaren driver Lando Norris.

He said: “Zak Brown and the McLaren team, if you’re reading this, please donate generously.”

You heard the man, McLaren!

Greg added: “The reason I’m doing this is because it will raise a lot of money for people that don’t have a safety net.

“I feel very lucky in my life. I have great friends and a really great family to support me if things go wrong.

“Imagine a tough time with no one looking after you. That’s what’s going to spur me on.”

• Donate at comicrelief.com/ride.

If David Nihill was a philosopher, his credo might be “I digress, therefore I am.”

Instead, Nihill is a comedian. Kind of. “I don’t know if I think of myself in those terms,” says Nihill, whose “Cultural Appreciation” special has 2.5 million views on YouTube. “I wouldn’t even call mine comedy specials.”

Nihill is a conversational storyteller who rarely even moves on stage. “I don’t know how to do performance,” he says, “but I do know how to talk.”

His current show, “Taking Tangents,” which takes him to Irvine, Pasadena and Los Angeles from March 13 to 17, is a wide-ranging collection of tales, with some material shifting from show to show. We’ll come back to it, but first, a few tangents.

Growing up in Ireland, Nihill, 47, struggled to learn, hampered by dyslexia — “I came in the lowest five percentile in the whole country of Ireland for spelling, and I didn’t even spell my name right on the test” — and an aversion to math. He was made to feel inferior because of his difficulties. “I was 100% in the ‘I am a moron’ category,” he says.

Nihill was shoved into a vocational program and most of his friends dropped out of school. He stayed in, but even when his father offered to buy him a Super Nintendo for certain math scores, Nihill fell short. His father bought it for him anyway, he says, “but I sold it and bought myself a motorcycle even though I was 15 and not legally old enough to drive.”

He finished high school and became a poorly paid, overworked apprentice electrician. That was enough to motivate him to go to college; there, he figured out how his brain worked and how to learn. He even developed a passion for reading: His last show, “Shelf Life,” wove in dozens of book recommendations.

During our conversation via video after a New York show, I’d ask one question, then follow Nihill as he ambled through his personal history. He started with a story about jumping off a cliff in Greece and shattering his leg — a part of “Tangents” — then going to Australia, before he stumbled into a master’s degree studying business back in Ireland (despite botching his application). A new friend there took him to his first-ever comedy show in Glasgow — there are even tangents within his digressions — before getting him a job with Enterprise Ireland, the government’s investment fund to boost Irish business overseas. That landed him in San Francisco, part of the “Cultural Appreciation” special. He left to pursue business opportunities in Mexico but, due to a hurricane, somehow ended up in Chile, spent a year wandering north toward America, and then scored an internship in Colombia.

Nihill is a conversational storyteller who rarely even moves on stage. “I don’t know how to do performance,” he says, “but I do know how to talk.”

(Jim McCambridge)

Eventually, Nihill’s story works its way to his current career, which began by accident. “It was never a dream or a goal,” he says. A friend in San Francisco had suffered a spinal cord injury and Nihill wanted to run a fundraiser, but dreaded public speaking.

That leads to a minor diversion, back to a college public speaking course in which Nihill was so terrified that he got drunk before his presentation and introduced himself “as an exchange student from Southern Yemen.”

In San Francisco, he started doing live comedy to overcome that fear. Meanwhile, his business background led him to see an opportunity and he created FunnyBizz, a company and conference where comedians help teach business leaders, like Kevin Harrington of “As Seen on TV,” how to use humor to communicate. The business bankrolled Nihill’s early days in comedy.

While Nihill has lived in America for years, most recently in Los Angeles, he remains passionately Irish, which shapes his shows in several ways.

In Ireland, “your nature is to just default to funny stories.”

He says American stand-up is about taking a topic and making it funny, aspiring for a five-minute joke-filled late night TV spot. Irish comedians say, “This thing happened to me and I think that’s funny. Let me just repeat it.”

The new show is named after “tangents” so that Nihill can go down different rabbit holes each night if he wants. “My head is always doing 60 different things,” he says, and he loves keeping his storytelling “free form and unfiltered,” whether he’s in a pub or on stage (or, apparently, in an interview).

The new show’s subjects will be familiar to Nihill’s fans: his parents, his foolish behavior (there are drunken college-age antics in a story that somehow eventually weaves in White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt) and Irish culture. “There are few countries that punch above their weight in social justice and social impact,” he says, and he always looks to draw connections with other cultures around the world. But the observations and connections he draws are new.

In New York, he added a bit about how 35% of Jamaicans have some Irish roots, quipping “imagine how fast they’d be without that” (in a nod to legendary sprinters like Usain Bolt). But for Nihill, that joke only works if it’s couched within the larger context of the cross-cultural connections, including the fact that Jamaican-born political activist Marcus Garvey drew upon the Irish independence movement for inspiration.

“There has to be some social value to doing it,” he says, although he’s quick to add his comedy isn’t overtly political. “My dad’s a teacher and that lives inside of me. Humor can be the ultimate tool for social activism. I am deliberately getting people to expand their minds in understanding these connections. I want comedy that makes everyone feel good and maybe learn something.”

Nihill on stage at Hollywood Improv.

(Jim McCambridge)

That “feel good” part is central: While he discusses his mother’s death from cancer last year, he leaves out a beautiful but poignant part of their final days together. “I’m deliberately avoiding that,” he says, because he wants to maintain an upbeat mood.

He digresses to tell me the story, however, and it’s literally longer than this entire article’s word count. “A very long answer to a very short question,” he admits, before swerving into a tale about back when his father had overstayed his visa in New York — it involves his dad being interviewed on CNN, getting into a bar fight and avoiding deportation because the immigration officer hailed from County Cork and Nihill’s dad burst into a song from there, earning him a six-month visa extension. The humanity of that scene “in contrast to a 5-year-old being dragged off to a detention center” may end up in a future Nihill show.

Nihill loves sharing the stories that come from observing and listening to people but says he doesn’t love the spotlight, which, he admits, makes comedy an odd career choice. He says he prefers telling stories to just a few people.

“With comedy, the best part for me is that before a show I eat half a chocolate bar and I leave the other half in the hotel room,” he says. “After the show, I get to finish it. That’s true happiness.”