11 March 2024 , 22:04
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Radio One presenter Mollie King’s decision to cycle 500km for Comic Relief sent fiancé Stuart Broad into shock as she has never cycled on the road before.
On Monday, the star set off from London on a five-day challenge, pedalling 100km a day to reach Hull, East Yorks. But Mollie, 36, said of the former England cricket star: “When I first said I was doing this he was in shock and said, ‘You are what?’
“He knows I’m not a cyclist. So he’s been really supportive. He’s been right behind me and he actually went out to get himself a bike so he could train with me out on the roads because I never cycled on the road. So he’s very protective.
Mollie King before starting her journey (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
She started cycling from London to Hull for Comic Relief (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)“He’s been there with me navigating the traffic and he’s very proud I think.” The former Saturdays singer said there had been a bit of friendly competition between them.
She explained: “I’d been trying to train for about six weeks and the first time we went out, within about 10 minutes he was flying past me. I was not amused. He’s just got it. I can see why he’s the athlete of the family.”
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Mollie admitted the challenge of cycling eight or more hours a day was daunting and she will struggle without the company of Stuart and their daughter Annabella, one. She chose Hull as her destination as it is the hometown of her beloved dad Stephen, who sadly died of a brain tumour last year.
She set off from Television Centre in London (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Stuart Broad and his daughter with a sign of support for Mollie King (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)Mollie said: “He had done the London Marathon before. He was quite fit and healthy, which is why it kind of took us all by a real shock when he got his diagnosis.”
Mollie explained losing her dad suddenly was her main motivation to get involved with Comic Relief, saying: “I know how amazing they are, but it does make you want to just be able to help other people who have been through things, whatever that is. Whether it’s poverty or homelessness. He’s going to be at the forefront of my mind with every pedal.”