Vernon Kay was heard on the verge of tears during his BBC Radio 2 show as he spoke to co-star Owain Wyn Evans ahead of a major Children in Need challenge.
Owain is preparing to take on a five-day cycling challenge this month, travelling nearly 400 miles through all four UK nations. Starting in Glasgow on November 9, his route will take him through Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales, before finishing in Cardiff on November 13.
A Gruelling Route
Supporters can also join in with Run With Pudsey And Joe Wicks, which asks people to walk, run or roll their way to a marathon by covering two miles a day in the two weeks before the appeal show. This year, the appeal show falls on Friday, November 13, and airs live on BBC One.
When the challenge was announced, Owain said: "When I said yes to this challenge, I knew it would push me well outside my comfort zone. It's going to be tough, demanding and probably a little daunting at times, but I'm ready to give it absolutely everything I've got."
He noted that fellow BBC presenters Vernon, Sara Cox and Paddy McGuinness had previously achieved "extraordinary things" for Children in Need, adding: "I've got a lot to live up to."
Vernon's Emotional Reaction
During their conversation, Vernon became choked up when discussing his own 2023 challenge, which saw the Bolton-born star walk 115 miles from Leicester's Victoria Park to his hometown Bolton Wanderers' football stadium.
After telling Owain he would be there to welcome him home in Cardiff, Vernon said: "I'm going to be there when you cross the line, and I'm really excited for you." He added: "Because after the full week, it will have been pure hell. It really will have been awful, but I hope you'll have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many people."
With tears in his eyes, Vernon admitted: "I get really emotional because I met some heroic people who I don't deserve to breathe the air that they breathed." He went on: "It'll get you, and it'll get you for the rest of your life. But it's inspiring. It really is inspiring. It's one of those things that never leaves you, and you think, 'God, there are good people out there!' You know what I mean? It's special."
Vernon then took a breath and admitted: "All I do on Tracks of My Years is cry!"
