Paddy McGuinness raises over £9 million after Children In Need charity bike ride

Paddy McGuinness has given an update on the impressive amount he has raised for Children In Need - as support continues to flow in following his race triumph

Paddy McGuinness admits he is absolutely gobsmacked by the amount of money he has raised for BBC Children in Need due to a sponsored bike ride.

The Radio 2 presenter, 51, undertook an ultra endurance cycle challenge to raise funds for the charity - which uses funds to improve the lives of impoverished children around the UK. As part of his challenge, Paddy travelled through three nations and eight counties over the course of a week and covered over 300 miles in distance.

The gruelling challenge has been well rewarded, however, as the star has raised many millions of pounds for the charity. By Friday, the star had pulled together over £8 million - but that figure has continued to grow even after the annual Children in Need telethon aired on Friday night.

Taking to the air of his BBC Radio 2 show on Sunday, Paddy gave an update on his money raising - and was stunned to see the figure kept increasing. He was also gobsmacked to see a response in messages as "1000s" of fans contacted him to congratulate him on his charitable work.

Taking to the air, he gasped: “Can you believe that we’re over nine million pounds? My days, that is unbelievable. Do you know what you’ve done folks? This is you lot. This is you, listen. This is you (lining) the streets.

“This is the people who couldn’t get down because they were working, or you were all home and just couldn’t make it, but you’ve got online and you did this (donated). This is you lot.” He went on to thank fans for sending him messages of support, as well as letters and pictures from children, and encouraged the public to continue to donate.

On social media, he shared more information about his achievements, posing on a sofa with a Pudsey the Bear cuddly toy. He revealed "Look what YOU did!!! £9,124,609 and it’s still going up!!" And then he shared a video clip of the volume of messages he was receiveing as he showed computer screens with messages bombarding the screen. He wrote: "If you’re listening live to my show this is our computers right now!!! I promised you I’d post it so here it is. Your messages are coming in there 1000’s!!!! £9,124,609 and counting!"

Amid his impressive fundraising, Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter has pledged to match the amount raised up to £3 million - meaning Paddy will easily bank over £12 million for the charity. While the appeal show revealed an initial total raised for Children In Need of more than £39 million on Friday night. The entertainment show featured appearances from stars including Oscar-winner Gary Oldman, pop group Girls Aloud, chat show host Graham Norton, singer Kylie Minogue and Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa.

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