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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tina Campbell

BBC Radio 1 presenter Mollie King 'completely overwhelmed' after cycling 500km for Comic Relief

BBC Radio 1 presenter Mollie King has completed her five-day cycling challenge for Comic Relief.

The 36-year-old has raised more than £1million for the charity by pedalling 311 miles (500km) from London to Hull.

During that time, she has battled through exhaustion, aching muscles, changing terrains, numerous inclines and pouring rain.

The former member of girl band The Saturdays was greeted by a large crowd and co-presenter Matt Edmondson as she arrived in Queen Victoria Square on Friday.

Mollie King looked emotional after crossing the finishing line (Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images)

The Ego hitmaker undertook the challenge in memory of her late father Stephen, who came from Hull. He died in November 2022, three months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Speaking to Edmondson after, said she felt "completely overwhelmed” by everyone being so generous.

Mollie King planted a huge kiss on one-year-old daughter Annabella’s cheek (Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images)

"This week has been time for me to think about what's happened, to think about my dad and to process the fact that everyone's donated so much," she continued.

"I wish I could thank everybody individually."

Mollie King’s fiancé Stuart Broad wrapped the former The Saturdays singer in a warm embrace (Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images)

Also waiting to offer their congratulations was King’s fiancé and former England cricketer Stuart Broad, their one-year-old daughter Annabella, plus, King’s mother Sue.

Before setting off on Monday, King - who had never cycled before - underwent six weeks of gruelling training.

Mollie King pictured with her father Stephen, who passed away three months after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour (Mollie King/Instagram)

Asked what she thought her dad would make of the challenge, King told the Standard: “He would think I was bonkers and be like ‘what are you doing?’ But he is somebody who always encouraged me to take on new things.”

She added that she felt he would be with her “every step of the way”.

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