Helen Skelton – and Gethin Jones – will lace up their retro roller boots for a mammoth Comic Relief challenge.
Gethin and Helen’s Wheely Big Challenge, starting on Thursday March 20, will see the BBC Morning Live presenters take on a 24-hour retro and relentless roller-skating endurance test to encourage people to donate to raise vital funds for Comic Relief-funded partners in the UK and around the world.
As Comic Relief celebrates its 40th birthday in 2025, the 80s, 90s and noughties-themed costumes and soundtracks will take the audience on a journey of fun and nostalgia through the decades.
Gethin and Helen will roller-skate their way through the day and night, pushing their muscles, stamina and determination to their physical and mental limits, whilst trying to stay awake whilst on skates.
During the challenge, the duo will be joined by a cast of stars – from past Comic Relief challengers to Morning Live co-presenters to other surprise guests – all helping them to stay on their skates for 24 straight hours as they celebrate fashions, fads and music from the past 40 years.
The challenge will begin during BBC Morning Live on the morning of Thursday and continue throughout the day and night, finishing during Friday’s Morning Live on Friday March 21 on Red Nose Day.
Since launching in 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £1.6 billion thanks to the huge generosity and kindness of the public and the charity’s partners.
Gethin said: “I’ve never roller-skated before so I’m nervous about my ability to stand up on skates, let alone move around on them. But I’ll give it all I’ve got and do everything I can to train and get ready because I’m determined to raise as much money as possible.”
“I love Red Nose Day and Comic Relief and everything which the money raised does for people going through the toughest times of their lives in the UK and around the world. Every day on Morning Live, we talk and hear about how much people are struggling right now. It’s never felt more important to throw everything into trying to help and raise as much as we can for those who need it most. And have some fun along the way too. Well, maybe for the first hour!”
Helen added: “I am really excited to get stuck into our roller-skating challenge. For me, it sums up what Comic Relief is all about; raising money for vital work that helps families and communities all over the UK and the world, whilst hopefully putting a smile on people’s faces.”
Viewers can follow Gethin and Helen’s Wheely Big Challenge across the full 24 hours on BBC iPlayer, encouraging Gethin and Helen to keep roller-skating throughout the night by donating to Comic Relief. Donations will be accepted by text, online and the on-screen QR code.
