Paddy McGuinness shares feelings on CIN cycle challenge

At 6.45am this morning (November 15), Paddy McGuinness set off for the final 18.5 miles of his incredible cycle challenge consisting of almost 300 miles from Wrexham to Glasgow - arriving shortly before 10.30am. He travelled through Chester and Ellesmere Port enroute.

Beginning on Monday this week (November 11), the challenge has been set across five-days, through Wales, England and Scotland.... all on a little Raleigh Chopper which he’s nicknamed Patch!

The total at 6.50am this morning was £6,577,494. You can donate here.

Zoe Ball on today's Breakfast Radio show (Image: BBC)

Before setting off this morning, Paddy chatted to Radio 2's Breakfast Show host Zoe Ball and said: "As usual at this time of the morning, everything is sore, everything is aching but again I've just rocked up here where I'm going to set off, it's dark, it's a little bit drizzly, and people are already here to wish me well so you can't be in a positive mind about that. 

"I came into Strathaven last night, it took me back to the 80s when Liverpool used to do an open top bus parade when they won the FA Cup, it's like that.

"Honestly, it was unbelievable, it was mind-blowing. I try and go round and high five everyone.  They're like - you've done it, we're all behind you. It just pushes you for that last little bit."

Paddy McGuinness with 'Wrex' at Pudsey at the Stok Cae Ras in Wrexham on November 11 (Image: BBC)

When asked about how he expects to feel when the challenge has been completed, he said: "I don't know how I will feel, how I will react. I know one thing - I've done some crying this last few days - flipping heck Zoe!  I've been crying my eyes out!" 

Host Zoe responded: "You've got to get it out! I've read loads of messages from people saying 'hearing Paddy have a cry, it's so good. Men struggle sometimes to let it out, you've made men and women have a cry, listening to you. You've cycled, 265 miles, will you ever be parted!" 

Paddy cycled to Glasgow to crowds of people lining the streets and cheering him on, and arrived at the BBC’s Pacific Quay where he was welcomed by Zoe who was presenting a live outside broadcast of The Radio 2 Breakfast Show in the foyer with a small audience of the public who’d received tickets to be there via a ballot.

This morning, Zoe spoke to Sir Tom Hunter who has pledged to match every donation up to an incredible £3 million. 

Zoe then met a young individual, Bailey, and his parents who are supported by the Seashell Trust - which is one of the charities BBC Children in Need supports. The charity that helps children and young adults with extremely complex disabilities.

Children in Need funds many of the one-to-one support workers at the Seashell Trust where Paddy visited himself and met Bailey who was also guest on Paddy’s Radio 2 show recently. Bailey is a massive fan of Queen and on today’s show, Zoe surprised him with a message from none other than Brian May.

Brian May said: “Hello Bailey, it’s Brian May. I had to get in touch because I was inspired by what I heard from your mum about the way you deal with stuff in your life. It’s great that you’re having this interaction with Cameron and the Seashell Trust – what an amazing organisation. But you are amazing. Ah, and then you have Paddy. Well Paddy has just done this outstanding ride up to Glasgow, please give him my love and tell him I hope he gets some rest soon. And for you Bailey, Merry Christmas and much love and rock on, ok, God bless you.”

You can listen back to today’s Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Sounds.

You can also watch the TV documentary of Paddy's whole challenge, Paddy: The Ride Of My Life, on Tuesday, November 19 at 8pm on BBC ONE and hear him read the CBeebies Bedtime Story at 6.50pm on Friday, November 15 on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.