Major update in Paddy McGuinness’ Children In Need cycle challenge as he smashes the longest leg of 300-mile bike ride
Just two days into his Radio 2 Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge for Children in Need, Paddy McGuinness has captured the hearts of the nation.
Last night Paddy finished the longest leg of his ride, pedalling almost 68 miles on his Raleigh chopper, Patch, from Preston to Kendal in the Lake District.
And it’s fair to say, he is pooped. “Whenever I see a red light, I’m delighted,” he joked from the road, adding: “I’ve got a blister on my right bum cheek.”
But the support of fans along the route has kept him going.
He said of his ride so far: “I don’t think there was a bit where there wasn’t somebody on the road.
“It started getting dark and people were still lining the streets, and I just thought, who gets a chance to do this?
“And you’ve got the added bonus of raising money for Children in Need at the same time. So I feel really lucky and really privileged.”
To get behind him and donate, head to bbc.co.uk/paddy.
Wicked claws, Cynthia
The critics have been positive about new film Wicked, but that didn’t stop actress Cynthia Erivo getting her claws out at the premiere in Mexico.
The Brit posed in a black dress – with hands protruding from her shoulders – as she cosied up to co-star Ariana Grande.
They are in the midst of a global press tour for the movie adaptation of the hit musical and will be in London for the UK premiere on Monday.
The film and its soundtrack will be out the following Friday, but Cynthia has another release in the meantime.
She has recorded an introduction for girl band Flo’s debut album, Access All Areas, which is out this Friday.
Nick’s not weddy
He’s been engaged for more than two years but Nick Grimshaw has not even started planning his big day yet.
And the former Radio 1 host told us he is debating waiting another four years until he walks down the aisle with Meshach Henry – because it would coincide with their tenth anniversary.
Speaking as he launched eBay’s immersive shopping experience in central London alongside his niece and Gogglebox co-star Liv, Grimmy said: “Wedding plans? No there are none.
“I don’t know if we will just wait until we have been together for ten years.
“We have been together for six years. I’ve not discussed it with him but I did just think about it the other day.”
Admitting he has stiff competition when it comes to his big day after his pal, Radio 2 host Scott Mills, splashed the cash on a Spanish wedding to remember, Grimmy added: “Scott’s was fab.
“I couldn’t go as I was filming Gogglebox but he was fine about me not going.
“I was tempted to go just for the Sunday but he was like, ‘Darling, the wedding is Saturday’. I was thinking of popping in just for the after-party.”
Despite having a bank balance most of us can only dream of, Grimmy insists that when it comes to grabbing a bargain on eBay he’s just like us.
He added: “I love old T-shirts, they just fit better. I’m not sure what happened in the Seventies or Eighties but it’s just softer.
“I did get a second-hand Gremlin from a shop in Manchester once which Liv hates but I love my second-hand Gremlin.”
Laughing, Liv added: “It’s horrible. I actually recently got some new kitchen cupboard handles on eBay as I just moved into a new house and didn’t like the ones there. Half a weird purchase, half practical.”
They spent ages trying to hide their romance, but Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper are clearly done keeping it under wraps.
The showbiz couple, who have been together for over a year, both wore red during a stroll in New York this week. If there’s one way to stand out on the street, that’s it, we reckon.
Gary’s on solo journey
Gary Kemp is going for gold with his third solo album, This Destination, which will be out on January 31.
The Spandau Ballet guitarist announced the record yesterday and has dropped new single “Put Your Head Up” to whet his fans’ appetites.
“It’s essentially a conversation I was having with myself, trying to encourage positivity in the face of life’s usual buffeting headwinds,” Gary told me.
Hard-Fi have also dropped a new song, “Don’t Need You,” which comes from their upcoming EP, Don’t Go Making Plans, out on Friday.
The four-piece, who have two No.1 albums, will play a warm-up show tomorrow in Staines, Surrey, before their sold-out homecoming show at The Roundhouse in Camden, central London, on November 30.
Rizzle kicks off round 2
Eight years after taking a break, Rizzle Kicks jumped back into action with a sell-out show – and it was certainly worth the wait.
Duo Jordan Stephens, supported by his girlfriend Jade Thirlwall – who was dancing like mad in the crowd – and Harley Alexander-Sule opened with their 2013 hit “Lost Generation,” before playing their latest single “New Sport.”
The pair have been hard at work on a new album too, out on Valentine’s Day, describing it as a “new phase” in their lives.
It was an emotional gig at times, with Jordan in tears at one point as he talked about his stage fright.
But it was like they’d never been away, with some slick and well-rehearsed routines.
They also introduced exciting new rapper Niko B, who is one to watch.