Vernon Kay shares grim health update after raising £5m for Children In Need

18 November 2023 , 11:58

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Vernon Kay shares grim health update after raising £5m for Children In Need

Vernon Kay has given a grim health update after raising £5 million for Children In Need in just four days.

The BBC Radio 2 presenter ran 116 miles from Leicester to his hometown of Bolton in an ultramarathon. Breaking down in tears at the finish line, he revealed it was the fans that kept him going.

Speaking to fellow radio host Zoe Ball, he said: "I am absolutely exhausted - physically, mentally, there's nothing in the tank. But it's been unbelievable, one of the most painful and joyous experiences I've ever had."

He then jokingly asked the crowd: "Is there anyone here who can replace a knee?" The star went on to confess he was “on so many painkillers I’d keel over if I had a pint”.

Vernon at the finish line after raising £5million in his ultramarathon for Children In Need (James Watkins/BBC)

Vernon had more grim health updates after the mega run - and revealed both his big toenails were coming off. But he said it was all worth it to raise so much money for charity. “We have raised £1million a day. Never in a million years did I expect that. Physically I am shot. Both big toenails are coming off,” he told The Sun. He added: “My right Achilles is swollen and my right knee is wonky. I never want to look at my sports watch again.”

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He began his journey on Tuesday morning and crossed the finish line at Bolton Wanderers Stadium on Friday at 10.30am, an hour later than planned. His proud parents Gladys and Norman, along with many family members, were there to greet him as he made his triumphant arrival.

The broadcaster became emotional when he met listener Barbara, who had written him a touching letter about how his Radio 2 show had "brought an old lady into the light."

Though wife Tess Daly couldn’t be there as she is in Blackpool this weekend for the Strictly Come Dancing live shows he revealed they had brought Barbara, the letter-writer, to meet him following a 'Bring Barbara to Bolton' hashtag campaign and said: "Tess has had it framed. It's in the kitchen and I walk past it every day. It brings me into the sunshine - I will cherish it forever."

Sharing more stories from listeners, Vernon said: “People got me through. A man walking his dog said to me, ‘You said something on the radio when you started. I was in a really dark place and you managed to give my son his dad back.

“There was a lady who stopped by the side of the road. She said ‘Two weeks ago I lost my husband and I’ve just been told I’ve got terminal cancer’. Then we had a lady who had just lost her baby. She threw her arms around me and was crying in my arms. All these special stories pushed me along.”

You can still donate to Vernon’s challenge on his Children In Need page

Katie Wilson