Amanda Holden strips naked before holding back tears in emotional moment
Amanda Holden has shared that she had to strip off her wet clothes and sit 'naked in only a towel' as she updated fans on her challenging 250-mile charity bike ride - before experiencing an emotional moment which left her in tears.
The Heart Breakfast presenter, aged 53, embarked on her colossal cycling challenge from Cornwall to London on Monday. However, just two days into the five-day endeavour, the weather has already posed a significant hurdle for the mother of two, after cycling through a deluge in Somerset.
While resting at a hotel after battling the 'horrific weather', Amanda revealed that she had sustained a 'really weird' injury and was sitting 'naked with nothing but a towel around her'.
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In conversation with The Sun, she disclosed: "My thumbs are aching, it's really weird. I'm currently sitting here naked with nothing but a towel around me because the weather is just horrific.
"Monday was the worst for the hills, but now it's the weather. My wet gear is on a radiator drying in this gorgeous hotel called The Chapel. I had an egg bake for breakfast and two hash browns and I've just had some butternut squash soup before I go back out."
On Monday, Amanda was taken aback when she received a £100,000 donation for Global's Make Some Noise, the charity she is undertaking the challenge for.
Amanda expressed: "We had a £100,000 donation from the makers of the film The Wild Robot. It is just incredible. We've had so many people supporting us along the way. It's been really uplifting and gorgeous and obviously it's all for a great cause."
And she experienced a particularly touching moment this morning as she was setting out on the third day of her Big Ride to Work Challenge, supporting Heart's charity, Global's Make Some Noise. The broadcaster was visibly moved and struggled to contain her tears when she received an unexpected on-air surprise from Pippathe midwife who played a crucial role during her daughter Holly's challenging birth 12 years ago.
Throughout Amanda's five-day cycling journey, the Heart Breakfast team has orchestrated daily surprises, with today's proving to be the most heartfelt yet.
On the show, Presenter JK remarked: "So then, it's Wednesday morning, which can only mean one thing: day three of the biggest physical challenge of her entire life Amanda Holden's big Ride to Work! She has set off from her mom's house in North Cornwall on Monday. We're not making you do that again, don't worry. don't freak out! She started a five-day, 250-mile ride to the Heart studios here in London. Days One and Two were, let's say, savage rain, hills, the lot."
Amanda responded: "Yes, and another one today, I think. Although the weather app is saying, well not sunshine, but no rain. So I am thrilled about that. I've got new trainers on as well."
JK then observed: "Oh they are literally box fresh! ".
To which Amanda said, chuckling: "They are box fresh; I am hoping they don't leak."
JK: "So we've been assisting you each day. I hope we've been aiding you with the delightful, big red buzzer surprise. It's a charming little cycle ride surprise, where it could be anything, and it could mean, I mean literally, it could be absolutely anything. Monday BGT golden buzzer act Sydnie Christmas appeared. On Tuesday, it was a £100,000 donation, thanks to Wild Robot. But what could it be this morning, Amanda? ".
AH: "Oh my gosh! You said it's emotional."
JK: "It is, it's going to be a moment. So it is time for you, when you're ready, to press the red buzzer and find out what your surprise is this morning. Shall we do the countdown? Alright. Five, four, three, two, one. Press it! ".
AH: "It's pressed! ".
JK: "I'm going to say one name to you, just one name, and you'll see on FaceTime in a second, one name. That name is Pippa."
AH: "Oh don't, that just makes me cry straight away! Oh Pippa, you're actually there! ".
JK: "She's here! ".
AH: "Oh my gosh! ".
Pippa: "I didn't cycle here, just to be clear."
AH: "Oh no, but you've done really well. You've been running."
JK: "Let's explain why Pippa means so much to you. Amanda, I think you should tell the story."
AH: "Oh, well, for anyone that doesn't know Pippa, I met Pippa years ago when I was making a documentary about Midwifery, and we became friends from that. But thereafter, she supported me through my very sad stillbirth that I had with my beautiful son, Theo. And she's basically been there for the whole thing. And then when I had Holly, that birth wasn't an easy one either. And she basically saved my life during the birth of my little girl, Holly, who is now 12. So yeah, and she's a friend for life. And honestly, anytime I've got an emergency or anything that happens to one of the girls or me, Pippa is always the first person I call she is like the light, the strength. She's a good laugh. She can drink me under the table! There's a million other reasons I love her, but yeah, primarily she's just, she's just got the answer to everything. Always. She's brilliant. I love her. I love you! ".
JK: "Let's say good morning to Pippa. Morning, Pippa. How are you feeling? ".
P: "I'm feeling great, thank you. Probably a bit more comfortable than Amanda I would say! ".
JK: "Have you got anything to say to Amanda, Pippa? ".
P offered words of encouragement, saying: "Oh, I know you've got this, Amanda. You have. You are amazing. You'll just get your head down, do the challenge. And you know you're doing so much good for other people, and I know that's what drives you. So, you've got so much resilience. You just get on and make this happen, and I've got every faith you will. I really felt for yesterday in that rain, I really did! I thought, 'Wow, this is a test.' But I knew you'd get through it. I knew you'd find some new shoes, because that's always important! ".
The celebrity has also shared her unique approach to comfort for the duration of her journey, revealing she will be using 'bum butter' from start to finish.
The radio presenter quipped: 'I've got padded gussets and bum butter, but that's just every day for me. I'd never heard of bum butter but now I've got so many varieties.
She continued: 'We reckon we'll be burning 15,000 calories a day. I've still got a Saganaki tummy from my holiday in Corfu so I'm doing this now for charity - and for weight loss. I'll be like Davina McCall when I get back. I'll be ripped."
In a quirky twist during last week's radio show, Amanda took to an exercise bike while donning stilettos and a glamorous outfit as part of her preparation for the upcoming challenge.
The ITV personality had previously expressed her desire for a practical addition to her bicycle for the ride, stating: 'I want a shopper with a basket and a gel saddle because if I want to stop for snacks at the local Spar in Bude, I will be doing that. '.
Amanda went on to say: 'I'm going to need snacks for energy purposes. But do you know what, as I'm doing this my thighs are hitting my tummy flab, so at least I can knead away the flab with my own thighs!"
To support Amanda on her challenge please donate to Global's Make Some Noise or head to to heart.co.uk.