Vernon Kay admits 'I can't think about it' as he opens up on feeling 'lowest of the low'

Vernon Kay has opened up about a moment last year when he experienced the "lowest of the low" emotionally, and was "kind of broken" physically.

Take Me Out's Paddy McGuinness is currently attempting to cycle from Wrexham to Glasgow in a bid to raise funds for BBC Children in Need, with the challenge set to end today (Friday, November 15).

Vernon, who is a close friend of the comedian, has been rallying support for the 'Road to Nowhere' star on his BBC Radio 2 show as he approaches the final hurdle, having experienced what the presenter described as the "toughest day".

On yesterday's instalment, Vernon shared behind-the-scenes details from his own Children In Need challenge. In 2023, he reached the top of Kinder Scout in the Peak District as a part of a 115-mile run from Leicester to Bolton.

Vernon said: "It's the toughest day, so I'm gonna personally relate to this from experience as Paddy's Kinder day... Kinder Scout, where we went over Kinder Scout, which was horrendous. Absolutely hated it.

"I can't think about that day now, personally, because we were... I think all of us as a collective - as a team - were the lowest of the low. We were just so deadbeat, we were kind of broken, as well, physically.

"Mentally, it was horrific because it was a barren landscape. It looked like something out of Dune because the mist was lying low. Paddy's gonna go through that because he's freezing, and when you're cold, your mind plays tricks on you."

Vernon added that your mind tells you the experience is "horrific" and that you "absolutely hate this", but you've "got no choice". He then pointed out that Paddy still has to reach Glasgow, and advised him to "crack on".

Vernon's ultra-marathon efforts eventually raised more than £5 million for the charity, which helps disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

Meanwhile, as of yesterday, Paddy had raised more than £3 million as part of his Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge on a Raleigh Chopper, telling Zoe Ball that he was "absolutely in bits".

On Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 breakfast show, Paddy said: “We’re just starting the day off and we’re over £3 million... Wow, I keep saying this because it’s the strangest thing, I’m absolutely in bits physically and emotionally but I will miss this, I will miss this positivity, this feeling of love - that everyone’s getting behind Children in Need.”.

You can donate to support Paddy's challenge here.