Emotional Paddy McGuinness shares poignant message after raising huge total for Children in Need

Paddy McGuinness was almost lost for words as the whopping total his 300-mile bike ride raised for Children in Need was revealed tonight (November 15).

The Bolton funnyman rode all the way from from Wrexham to Glasgow on a modified chopper bike to raise money for the BBC charity, completing his challenge earlier this morning. As the TV show reached its climax, it was revealed his Herculean effort - which took him through three nations over five days - managed to raise a total of £8,856, 580.

When gearing up for this monumental task, Paddy sought advice from cycling royalty Sir Chris Hoy, who put him through a rigorous training regime. And it was Sir Chris who presented Paddy with the cheque of his running charity total during the Children in Need TV broadcast tonight.

READ MORE: New images reveal what Stockport Pyramid could look like inside as it's transformed into 'luxury dining experience'

Just before 9am this morning, as he neared the end of his ride, Paddy was surprised with a visit from Sir Tom Hunter who pledged to match every donation up to £3 million through the Hunter Foundation.

Crowds of people then lined the streets Glasgow and cheered him on as he cycled towards BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay headquarters, arriving at 10.28am. He was welcomed by Zoe Ball, who was presenting a live broadcast of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show in the foyer.

The Top Gear presenter began his journey on Monday at Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse Ground. He said that Glasgow was “lit up in sunshine” as he approached the city on Friday morning.

On tonight's show, as his massive charity total was revealed, Paddy emotionally thanked everyone who had cheered him along on his 300-mile journey.

He said: "The actual joy of doing the challenge, you can't call it a challenge can you? It's a privilege when you're out there. And that many people are coming out and supporting you.

"The feeling of love and community and people coming together is the best feeling in the world and I'll never forget it." When later asked to share Children in Need's message, Paddy joked: "I've got to be honest, I thought I was having a night off."

He then added: "BBC Children in Need wants to help young people be the very best they can be no matter what life throws at them."

Paddy looked jubilant as he was quizzed by the team on the tough reality of the challenge. "Underneath these clothes its all sellotape and safety pins," he joked. "But when you're in it you kind of just get on with it.

He added he was 'thinking of buying shares in Kleenex' after many emotional moments during the ride. The Bolton funnyman was joined by a variety of guests as he made his way up testing hills and through gloomy weather in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Upon finishing the epic challenge, Paddy said: "Every morning when I woke up everything was aching and it was always dark and cold but I've been saying it for the last few days, when you get on the bike, and you get on the road and everyone comes out it just spurs you on.

"Even though we're filming stuff and putting things on social media; until you're actually in that moment, I will never be able to get it across fully what it felt like.

All the different sounds, all the cities, all the communities. Everyone came out and everyone were together for something. And all those faces, all the kids, all the nurseries, all the primary schools, all drawing pictures of Patch - none of them had a clue who I were - but it was just so beautiful to see and the streets were lined with people.

"Honestly it's a moment in time I'll take with me to my grave. I'll never ever forget it. It's been amazing."