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Radio 1 host Greg James joined Jamie for a stretch of his final ultra-marathon today, donning a wedding dress
Jamie finished day four with a visit from his dad, prompting an emotional conversation between the two and Radio 1 co-hosts Vick and Jerry
Matlock locals welcomed Jamie into the finish line after completing his hilliest day yet, smashing through 30.2 miles
Jamie set off on his final ultra-marathon this morning, attempting to run 30 miles from Buxton to Salford
Best friend, Toby Wilkinson, joins him today in an emotional start line send off
Radio 1 listeners have now raised over £1.3 million for Jamie and Comic Relief
Since Monday, Jamie has been attempting to run 150 miles, setting off from the home of Radio 1 in London and today will be crossing the finish line in Salford, ahead of Red Nose Day’s night of TV
Money raised could help put food on plates and roofs over heads, keep little ones safe and help support families affected by conflict here in the UK and around the world
Red Nose Day returns on Friday 21st March
For live updates along the route, see here(opens in new window), and to support Jamie, visit: comicrelief.com/ultra
Friday 21 March: Radio 1 DJ Jamie Laing set off on his fifth and final ultra-marathon for Red Nose Day this morning, leaving Buxton behind as he heads towards Salford. He’s not running it all solo though, as he’s joined on a leg by fellow Radio 1 host Greg James in a hilarious wedding dress and garter. Yesterday evening, he was greeted by his dad in Matlock after completing the toughest, hilliest stretch of his challenge - and feeling every bit of it.
Before leaving Buxton, Jamie joined Greg live on air for Radio 1’s Breakfast Show, where it was revealed that his challenge has now raised over £1,300,000 in donations – a whopping £630,000 increase since the last check-in yesterday evening. To carry on the emotional moment, Jamie was then joined on air by his best friend, Toby Wilkinson, who has played a pivotal role in Jamie’s journey towards a healthier attitude toward anxiety and mental health - encouraging him to get out and run as a way to cope.
After the Radio 1 listeners exceeded the goal of £450,000 raised by yesterday morning, Greg James was roped into joining Jamie for a section of his run – donned in a wedding dress in a tribute to his now wife Bella proposing to him before he took on his very own challenge.
Battling not just the challenging terrain yesterday, Jamie also faced the hottest day in the UK so far, with temperatures reaching 17 degrees. At one point, he had to strip down to just his running vest to keep cool. After a break for lunch, Jamie feared he had broken his foot, leading to an ice pack being strapped on during the pit stop. Thankfully, it was a false alarm, and he was back on his feet to continue his journey.
The day was filled with emotion. After a vulnerable start, where Jamie confessed to struggling with accepting love, it ended with more tears when his dad, Nick, joined him on the Going Home Show to express just how proud he was of his son.
Speaking about Jamie’s challenge, Nick Laing said: "It's awful because there's a conflict of emotion there, because on one hand you see this extraordinary hero - you know who has overcome pain, tiredness, to achieve what he's achieved. And on the other hand he's my son and I, oh I'm going to cry... I just want to hug him." In an emotional exchange, Jamie responded "I've never seen my dad cry. This is the greatest man, he's the greatest person in the world my dad is. He's unbelievable. You're great dad."
Reflecting on the day, Jamie said “I'm sorry I've been so emotional today, I think this is about 30 years of emotions all coming out this week. That was tough - there's a lot of hills here. I am so happy that one is over. I got told by everyone Wednesday would be the worst. It's all lies. This was the worst. My knee is sore, my ankle is swollen, but we’ve raised a huge amount of money which is awesome – what an experience. One more day to go, let’s do it!”
It was revealed in Radio 1’s Going Home Show that Jamie and the Radio 1 listeners have now raised a mega £670,000 for Red Nose Day. It was then revealed by Greg this morning that this total has been topped up even further, now reaching an astonishing £1.3 million.
Today’s final route will see Jamie run from Buxton, through Whaley Bridge and Stockport, before finishing in Salford ahead of Red Nose Day’s night of TV. Radio 1's Ultra Marathon Man with Jamie Laing for Red Nose Day will be broadcast live on Radio 1 and BBC Sounds across the week, with video highlights on Radio 1’s social channels.
The money raised for Radio 1's Ultra Marathon Man with Jamie Laing for Red Nose Day will provide vital funds that could help put food on plates and roofs over heads, keep little ones safe and help support families affected by conflict here in the UK and around the world.
To support Jamie, go to comicrelief.com/ultra
ENDS
ASSETS AVAILABLE
Comic Relief selection of Jamie finishing day four and starting day five available here (opens in new window)
Wider selection of Getty photography available here (opens in new window)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Emily McCormick
07487582054
e.mccormick@comicrelief.com
Out of hours enquiries: 0207 820 2444
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Radio 1
BBC Radio 1(opens in new window) is the UK’s No.1 youth station, targeting 15 to 29 year-olds with a distinctive mix of new music and programmes focusing on issues affecting young people. The station is the soundtrack to young people's lives in the UK and has been for over 50 years.
About Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day is back on Friday 21 March 2025.
From hip shakers, cake bakers and joke makers to Red Nose wearers, t-shirt buyers and sofa-sitting givers, it’s that time of year to come together to support people in the UK and across the world who are facing the toughest times of their lives.
This Red Nose Day, there’s lots to be excited about as we begin to celebrate Comic Relief hitting the big 4-0 in 2025. With your help over the past 40 years, we’ve raised over £1.6 billion, supported over 100 million people, and had a great time doing it. So, this March, let’s all go big to help put food on plates, roofs over heads, keep little ones safe, and support families affected by conflict. Because when we all do a little something funny for money, giving gets bigger and bigger.
There are lots of ways to take part in Red Nose Day. Visit www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday or follow @comicrelief on social media to find out more.
Red Nose Day is an initiative of Comic Relief.
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief is a UK charity that uses the power of entertainment and popular culture to work towards a vision of a just world free from poverty. We raise money to support organisations that are closest to the communities who can make change happen. We support work that will tackle the impact of poverty, injustice, conflict, and climate change in the UK and around the world.
Since launching in 1985, we have raised over £1.6 billion thanks to the huge generosity and kindness of the public and our partners. For more information on our work, visit www.comicrelief.com or follow @comicrelief on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for the latest content and news.
Comic Relief is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).
