Victoria Pendleton says twin brother's death was harder than any TV challenge
Victoria Pendleton has said her twin brother's death was harder than any TV challenge she has taken part in.
The cyclist has taken on a new challenge as she signed up for this year’s Stand Up To Cancer's Don't Look Down where she and a string other celebs conquer their fear of heights. Paddy McGuinness took the famous faces to the Austrian Alps to learn how to high wire walk.
The whole challenge leads up to the final task which is to wire walk 90 metres above one of London’s most iconic landmarks. Each of the celebs who are taking part have been impacted by cancer in one way or another – whether that's personally or a family or friend.
Victoria's twin brother Alex passed away in June after being diagnosed with cancer. He was just 42 years old. She said: "For me, having experienced my brother and terminal cancer, nothing seems scary. Having a loved one with terminal cancer pass away is far harder then any challenge I could do – worse than any hike or bungee. Overcoming any fear is far insignificant in comparison."
Alex was diagnosed with a brain tumour, later identified as a glioblastoma in March 2021. He had a biopsy, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, before spending 17 months having chemotherapy. He was then diagnosed with a second brain tumour and a critically low platelet count which meant he couldn't have chemo anymore.
Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton's heartbreak as twin brother tragically dies
Victoria's brother died in June this year (Instagram/victorilou)Those taking part in the TV challenge include Corrie star Beverley Callard, footballer Anton Ferdinand, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, Love Islander Chris Hughes, French soccer legend David Ginola, adventurer Charley Boorman, TikTok star GK Barry (Grace), comedian Fats Timbo and Olympic champion cyclist Victoria Pendleton.
Speaking about the physical and mental journey she went on, Victoria said: " The first day of training, we were all so terrible! We were all wobbling around, falling off. We even said, 'Have they decided to make a TV show that’s totally impossible?' I battled with it for a few days, but Fats and Charley picked it up really quickly. Then one moment it clicked. For me, it was getting the technical element – the heights didn’t hold me back."
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