Comic walks 100 miles in mother’s memory

Comedian Bill Bailey has begun a 100-mile cancer fundraising walk along Britain’s “oldest road” in memory of his late nurse mother.

The funnyman, 53, is walking The Ridgeway trail in tribute to his mother, Madryn, who died of bowel cancer in 2005.

A troupe of comics, including Jo Brand, Lee Mack and Kevin Eldon, will join him on the six-day trek along the ancient southern England pathway.

Bailey, who began walking on Monday, said: “Mum was a great character – a huge personality and a real lifeforce. She sang and played piano.

“Whencancercamecallingit was devastating for the whole 0 Bill Bailey will walk 100 miles to raise cancer research funds family. I miss her all the time.” The comic described the route as a “real hidden gem” and said the group would do the hike back-to-front.

He said: “Most people walk it west to east because the wind is at your back.

“But I say, ‘nah!’...i’m going rogue for Stand Up To Cancer and going the other way.”