King of the road
Mollie’s tears at end of Comic Relief challenge for late dad
WITH aches in her legs, a lump in her throat and tears in her eyes, Radio 1 star Mollie King completed her bike challenge for Comic Relief, and dedicated it to her late dad.
Mollie, 36, has raised more than £1million for the charity by cycling 311 miles (or 500km) from London to Hull, where her father Stephen was from.
He died in 2022 from a brain tumour.
After completing the five-day challenge, DJ Mollie celebrated at the finish line by kissing her fiance – England cricket legend Stuart Broad, 37 – and their little daughter Annabella.
Mollie said: “This week has been time for me to think about what’s happened, to think about my dad and to process the fact that everyone’s donated so much.
“I wish I could thank everybody individually.” Mollie, also famed for being a singer with pop group The Saturdays, added she is “overwhelmed by everyone being so generous”. She took on the marathon bike ride in memory of her dad.
There was more emotion in the BBC studio in Salford, Greater Manchester, last night as Sir Lenny Henry, 65, co-hosted the Red Nose Day extravaganza for the final time. The comedian has been at the helm since co-founding Comic Relief in 1985.
He said: “This is a good time to allow a new generation to take the baton... “The money people have sent in has helped over 100 million people.” His fans were also treated to a BBC1 show called A Whole Lotta Lenny about his years working with Comic Relief. It also featured TV presenter Alex Jones.
Money raised goes to help tackle issues such as poverty.