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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.”

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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.

MUMS have their mothers’ meet-ups and Facebook community groups, but did you know the dads have their very own festival?

Every year, DadFest – the only festival in the country for just fathers and their kids – takes place in Yorkshire.

During the festival at South Cliff Holiday Park, you can create your own campfire with your little ones or stargaze together.

For active families, there’s the opportunity to have a go at archery, bouncing on trampolines, crazy golf and high ropes.

Dads who want to take a seat and watch their kids play can head to the disco or a Forest School.

And if you love exploring the wilderness, there are even bat walks to head off on.

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Of course, you can expect arts and crafts sessions too and children’s entertainment.

For a laugh, make sure to catch the Regional Dad Dancing Championships at the festival, which will pick one dad as Yorkshire Dad Dancing Champion.

It’s not just dads though – other male figures including step-fathers, uncles and grandparents are welcome.

All of the activities are included in a festival ticket, as well as access to The Edge Aerial Adventure (high-ropes course), camping and parking.

There is food for purchase on site too but you can bring your own camp stove and prepare your own food.

Guests can use the holiday park’s facilities whilst staying, which include the Conservatory Restaurant and two bars.

There is also a fish and chip shop if you prefer a salty takeaway and a small shop.

The holiday park also boasts an outdoor playground, with nest swings, zip lines, climbing walls and a giant tower with slides.

And whilst you stay at the park and enjoy the festival, make the most of the coastal location as well.

The holiday park sits right by Bridlington South Beach, which is a huge stretch of golden sand, is dog-friendly, ideal for watersports and has fascinating low clay cliffs.

The festival was created by The Dads’ Network CIC which is for dads, father figures, male carers and their children and last year, it won the award for the ‘Best Small Event in the UK’ by the National Outdoor Events Association.

Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This unique festival gives dads and children the chance to connect with nature while enjoying fun activities that help develop new skills and strengthen family bonds.

“I had the privilege of taking part in the last DadFest and was hugely impressed by how well organised it was and by the wide variety of activities on offer.

“My daughter and I had a fantastic time, and I’m delighted to see the event return.”

DadFest organiser and founder of The Dads’ Network, Ian Blackwell, said: “DadFest started in Devon in 2014 and we ran our first DadFest in Bridlington in 2025.

“We are really pleased to be bringing our small, award-winning festival to East Yorkshire in partnership with East Riding Council and Rewilding Youth.

“The festival will also be bringing the renowned ‘Yorkshire Dad Dancing Championship’ – a hotly contested dance off by grooving dads, much to the sheer embarrassment of their kids.

“The winning dad in Yorkshire will take home the bragging rights as the Yorkshire Champ and will get free tickets to The World Dad Dancing Championships in Devon in September, along with a fetching trophy for the mantlepiece.”

DadFest will take place from 3pm on May 15 to May 17.

Tickets cost £112 per dad and one child, £122.50 per dad and two children or £132.50 per dad and three children.

For more family days out, here are the best UK family days out from £10 to completely free this Easter holidays.

Plus, the UK’s best campsite your kids will love – you get free theme park access and it’s just £25 to stay.