Paddy McGuinness reveals gruelling fitness regime and secret weapon for 300 mile Children In Need bike ride

SPARE a thought for Paddy McGuinness this morning as he kicks off his Radio 2 ultra endurance cycle challenge for BBC’s Children In Need.

To make the feat even more difficult, pedalling 300 miles across the UK on an old-school Raleigh Chopper which, I tell him, makes my bum sore just thinking about it.

Paddy says in an exclusive chat: “Sir Chris Hoy has sorted me out with that.

“We’re talking about a Knight of the Realm here with Sir Chris.

“I woke up two weeks ago to a WhatsApp off a Knight of the Realm, which just said, I have got your a**e cream. I was like, ‘Nice one’.

“They’re the kind of random messages I’ve been getting.”

At least Sir Chris has got him covered, in more ways than one.

Former Top Gear presenter Paddy has been out training with the Olympic cycling great for the past few weeks and says the practice has been gruelling.

He says: “I did a bike ride with Chris about three or four years ago now. I’ve still got the mental scars from it. It was so tough and difficult.

“He messaged me and said, ‘Don’t think I’m going to go easy on you.

“I know it’s going to be brutal. I know it’s going to be hell. He’s really put me through my paces.”

Looking at Paddy during our Zoom call, he looks a picture of health but admits his broad Boltonian shoulders are not as strong as I may have thought.

“Ellie, I’ve got to stop you there. I don’t know what image I put out there but I’m just a regular level of fit,” Paddy explains.

“Everyone does a class now and then and goes to the gym like me. They don’t ride 300 miles on a Chopper.

“I’ve got a half-decent level of fitness but this will break me.

“Training has been difficult. The first day they sent me the bike I tried to pedal up a hill and I thought, ‘Am I going to be able to do this?’

“The reality really kicked in when I found out the bike only has three gears and only two of them work.

“I know it’s going to be cold and wet too.

“But I feel as though I have been training for that all my life because I was brought up in Bolton, which is, you know, it’s like being in the Arctic tundra up there.”

Last year, Paddy’s Radio 2 colleague Vernon Kay took on the station’s challenge for Children In Need and raised £6million.

I spoke to Vernon every day on his 116-mile ultra-marathon last year and the response from the public blew him away.

Paddy, I have no doubt, will get the same reaction, especially if his method of persuasion pays off with some of his celebrity mates, including Peter Kay and Freddie Flintoff.

“I think blackmail, using the correct way, is a very healthy tool,” Paddy says with a laugh.

“I’ve been blackmailing everybody to donate and give generously.”

I am sure they will. This morning, as Paddy sets off from Wrexham, he is well aware of the long road ahead.

He will take in eight counties, including Flintshire, Cheshire and Lancashire, and finish the ride in Scotland before racing back down the motorway to Salford to appear live on TV for Children In Need this Friday.

Paddy says: “The main thing for me is getting people to donate whatever they can to help Children In Need.

“I am mentally ready for it now. I just want to get started.

“I’m planning on just eating a load of pies afterwards.

“Honestly, I cannot wait until we’re at that finish line in Glasgow.

“I’ll probably inhale a pint of Guinness when I finish. And then we’re in the back of the car and straight down to Salford for Children In Need on Friday night.”

To support Paddy and donate, see bbc.co.uk/paddy.

You can do it, Pad. Just keep pedalling.