They’re used to living the high life, but the nine celebrities who signed up to this year’s Stand Up To Cancer challenge are facing their tallest order yet.
Host and team leader Paddy McGuinness took the brave celebs into the Austrian Alps to learn how to high wire walk, and face a series of vertigo-inducing tasks to prepare them for one final challenge – to wire walk 90 metres above one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
“Some people have really struggled and there were lots of tears,” says Paddy. “But they’re a really good group and everyone’s really supportive of each other.”
Taking on the challenge are Corrie star Beverley Callard, footballer Anton Ferdinand, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, Love Islander Chris Hughes, French soccer legend David Ginola, adventurer Charley Boorman, TikTok star GK Barry (Grace), comedian Fats Timbo and Olympic champion cyclist Victoria Pendleton.
“The first day of training, we were all so terrible!” reveals Victoria. “We were all wobbling around, falling off. We even said, ‘Have they decided to make a TV show that’s totally impossible?’
“I battled with it for a few days, but Fats and Charley picked it up really quickly. Then one moment it clicked. For me, it was getting the technical element – the heights didn’t hold me back.”
All the celebrities insist they wouldn’t have signed up for the show if it wasn’t for such a good cause, and all of them have been affected by cancer in one way or another.
“I had cancer when I was 32,” explains Beverley. “A friend died of cancer a few years ago, she died in my arms. Another friend has bone cancer. It touches everybody.”
For Victoria, who lost her twin brother Alex to cancer in June, this show means a lot.
“For me, having experienced my brother and terminal cancer, nothing seems scary. Having a loved one with terminal cancer pass away is far harder then any challenge I could do – worse than any hike or bungee. Overcoming any fear is far insignificant in comparison.”
Paddy reveals he’s hoping the money raised will help towards a breakthrough.
“Imagine waking up one morning and seeing that headline, they’ve found a cure for cancer – it would be mind-blowing,” he says.
“My dad passed away from colon cancer, and my brother Tony has had leukaemia and he’s still with us. I’m all about the research and the more money they have, the better.”
Each celebrity put their all into the challenges designed to help them cope with heights. So is everyone ready to commit to the final challenge in London, over a distance of 300 metres, 90 metres up in the air?
“I’ll be there no matter what, with a hairdresser on standby!” says Beverley. “This has been the adventure of a lifetime. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
During training, staying together in an Austrian ski chalet, the team all got very close.
“We’ve made some great friendships,” confirms Chris. “I’ve just organised a game of golf with Charley. We’ve spent three weeks ripping on each other, David and Anton too – I don’t like friends who are nice to me, you need to have strong banter.”
“And with this experience, we’ve all been able to bond and talk about our feelings, it’s been very nice,” adds Charley.
“I can’t explain the feeling when you do something you thought was absolutely impossible,” exclaims Grace. “It’s mental and incredible! If someone invites me to a party and they’ve got a washing line, I’m hopping on that!”
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