Sport Relief goes all out to break records
Sport Relief 2018
BBC 1, 7pm
WHETHER you’re a couch potato or a seasoned sprinter, we hope you have been on your feet this week and making your steps count. In the lead up to tonight’s Sport Relief, the Billion Steps Challenge has been taking place as the public have been encouraged to get active, have fun and raise cash to help people living tough lives both in the UK and around the world.
For the first time, tonight’s show comes live from Salford, with the mayhem beginning at 7pm as Gary Lineker, Davina Mccall and Ore Oduba welcome viewers. Throughout the night, the baton is then passed to Paddy Mcguinness, Claudia Winkleman and Freddie Flintoff as they guide viewers into the early hours.
As is always with Sport Relief, a host of famous faces will be stepping into unfamiliar territory, all in the name of entertainment and fundraising.
Celebrity Boxing makes a comeback, as six fearless stars don their gloves and take to the ring for a triple-bill of bouts. Wayne Bridge faces Spencer Matthews, Hannah Spearritt goes head to head with Vanessa White and Camilla Thurlow takes on Helen Skelton.
Also during the evening, comedian John Bishop lands a role he could only have dreamt of and sets out on a mission to help England win the World Cup.
We’ll see a Clash Of The Channels Boat Race, while Sue Barker hosts a special A Question of Sport.
There will be regular visits to 5-Live-a-side outside the studio, where Robbie Savage’s celebrity all-star team are attempting a whopping 12 hours of non-stop football.
Strictly Come Dancing brings glamour to the evening as football legends Alex Scott, Chris Kamara and David Ginola don sequins and show us their fancy footwork.
Throughout the night, there will be a look into how money raised through Sport Relief can help vulnerable people in the UK and across the world to live happier, healthier, safer lives, with a special focus this year on maternal health, malaria and mental health.
There will be updates on Zoe Ball who has been taking part in an epic cycle challenge from Blackpool to
Brighton to raise mental health awareness, after the death of her boyfriend, cameraman Billy Yates, last year.
Zoe says: “I wanted to do something for him. One in four people is living with mental illness. That’s a lot of people struggling.”
In 2016, Radio 1 DJ Greg James finished five triathlons in five days in five cities and raised over £750,000. This year, he has taken part in another epic challenge, officially named Pedal To The Peaks, nicknamed the Gregathlon.
He said: “My last challenge was unbelievably difficult but I think we’re about to top it. This challenge is even more ridiculous.”
David Beckham’s 2014 appearance in an Only Fools and Horses sketch and Michael Crawford’s long overdue return to Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em two years ago may take some topping.
But Sport Relief prides itself in breaking records, going the extra mile and pushing back boundaries, so don’t bet against the show’s organisers putting on another winning performance tonight.