Paddy McGuinness raises staggering £9 million for BBC Children In Need with epic bike ride

Paddy McGuinness has raised an extraordinary £9 million after his BBC Children in Need charity bike ride.

The Radio 2 host and TV star of Take Me Out and Top Gear fame completed an epic cycling challenge, which took him across three nations and eight counties over a week.

After finishing the gruelling 300-mile trek on his nostalgic Raleigh Chopper, styled in the iconic colours of Pudsey Bear, McGuinness had raised a monumental sum exceeding £8 million as of Friday.

While hosting his Sunday BBC Radio 2 show, the 51-year-old shared the news that total donations had climbed to £9.12 million, expressing his astonishment and gratitude: "Can you believe that we’re over nine million pounds?" he said. "My days, that is unbelievable. Do you know what you’ve done folks? This is you lot. This is you, listen. This is you (lining) the streets.

"This is the people who couldn’t get down because they were working, or you were all home and just couldn’t make it, but you’ve got online and you did this (donated). This is you lot."

He took the opportunity to thank his supporters for their encouraging messages, letters and children's drawings, and reminded everyone that contributions were still welcome. Scottish entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter has also committed to doubling the amount given, up to £3 million.

During the televised appeal show, it was disclosed that Children In Need raised more than £39 million on Friday.

The entertainment programme boasted a star-studded line-up including Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman, pop group Girls Aloud, renowned chat show host Graham Norton, iconic singer Kylie Minogue and Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa.

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