As the clock ticked down on a grueling 24-hour roller-skating challenge for Comic Relief, Gethin Jones found himself in a precarious situation, having taken a serious tumble live on air. Alongside his co-presenter Helen Skelton, the two set out to raise donations for charity through their Wheely Big Challenge, an endurance test that proved more taxing than they could have anticipated.
On March 21, 2025, during BBC Breakfast, viewers were taken behind the scenes as Gethin began to share his experiences amidst exhaustion. "I actually don't know where to start," he said, a hint of fatigue lacing his voice as he encouraged Helen to take over. Helen, equally drained, chimed in, "We're so tired. He's literally just stacked it into the side but he didn't want to miss out on speaking to you guys and the rules are we have to keep skating the whole time. It has been more of a challenge than what we were expecting," according to Wales Online.
Earlier in the day, Gethin had fallen while attempting to grab a drink, unexpectedly colliding with the wall. "I went to get a drink and I kicked the side of the wall," he recounted, humorously indicating that he had "hit the wall a few times metaphorically but now I've hit it physically." This incident raised concerns among producers and medical staff who suggested a potential exit strategy for him given the seriousness of the fall. Nevertheless, with determination in his eyes, Gethin stated, "We got close there but we just got to finish this challenge," epitomizing the event's spirit as they neared their goal.
Finishing their challenge at 10 AM on March 21, Gethin's ordeal did not end there as he struggled to hold back tears during the emotional wrap-up on BBC's Morning Live. Overwhelmed by the support and the effort he had put forth, he expressed profound gratitude towards Helen. "I was really relieved at the end because within an hour and twenty to go when I had that fall it was so weird I just went and got a drink and lost my concentration basically and it really hurt," Gethin shared, revealing vulnerability as he discussed a long-standing back problem tied to a bulging disc.
Reflecting on the physical and emotional toll the challenge had taken, he admitted, "I just didn't want to fail and I wanted to do it together, and then it became really hard, it was really painful - sorry it's a bit emotional but I did this two years ago and I've seen where the money goes, the lives it changes," again reported by Wales Online.
Helen was there every step of the way, showing deep camaraderie as she reassured him, stating, "It's a team, it's a big team." They had started the event filled with optimism; however, as Helen noted, the reality set in with the overwhelming nature of skating for 24 consecutive hours in a closed-off space. "We were going around in a circle for 24 hours in a windowless room, we were quite delirious at times and people would pop up. Ranj appeared twice and I was 'I'm sure I've seen you.' It was quite confusing at times but you were just grateful for people giving up their time," she recalled. Gethin even humorously noted that he developed a tendency to lean left as a result of the long skating experience.
By the time they wrapped their roller-skating marathon, the duo had managed to raise an impressive £700,000. Gethin acknowledged this generosity, addressing viewers, "Morning Live viewers, you're amazing, you always give so much." The emotional bond and resilience demonstrated by the pair throughout the ordeal offered a heartfelt testament to the power of teamwork and determination as they pushed through pain for a noble cause.
In an earlier segment featuring both presenters, Gethin had mentioned how his past injuries while skating had shaped his perception of the challenge he faced. He stated, "I’ve been ice skating, I got a concussion and broke my arm - twice," indicating the physical risks involved in the present challenge. With hours of skating stretching out in front of them, the stakes felt high, both physically and emotionally.
Despite the exhaustion, Gethin and Helen's resolution shone through. They shared their experiences with various celebrity guests who joined them on the rink, including Dr. Ranj and Kimberley Walsh, who also faced their own challenges. Kimberley shared her mishap, stating, "I tried so hard to stay up but, like you say, if you lose a bit of concentration or get excited you're gone."
The day concluded with Gethin's heartfelt emotion evident as he thanked everyone who donated, understanding firsthand the significant impact their contributions would have. He celebrated not just their fundraising success but the spirit of community and support that Comic Relief engenders.
The energy and excitement surrounding the event were palpable, with Gethin's resolve to finish and Helen's cheerleading propelling them forward. Reflecting on their journey through this endurance test, it became clear that their shared experience would resonate beyond the 24-hour challenge itself. As Gethin quipped, "What’s different this time is that we have each other," emphasizing the importance of friendship and teamwork in overcoming obstacles.
As the Wheely Big Challenge came to a close, the impactful results of their efforts were profoundly felt, both for them and the many people that the raised funds would help transform lives across communities.
