Owain Wyn Evans is home. The Ammanford-raised presenter rode into Cardiff on Friday morning at the end of his 400-mile ride, with more than £3.85 million raised for BBC Children in Need.
He crossed the line at BBC Central Square shortly after 11am, to confetti cannons and a cheering crowd.
He said: “Honestly, this has felt so far away for such a long time.” He added: “I can’t believe that I’m here.”
£3,853,530 raised, and still rising
The total announced on Radio 2 stood at £3,853,530 at 11.55am, up from £3.2 million earlier in the morning.
It was £1.77 million when he faced the Tumble on Thursday afternoon. It only passed £1 million on Wednesday.
The teacher and the pink Care Bears lunchbox
His husband Arran, his parents and his brother Rhys were at the finish.
So was Cath Adams, his former teacher, who is said to have stood up for him when classmates mocked his pink Care Bears lunchbox.
He called her “my first ally” and said: “We need more Caths out there.”
Shania Twain, Paloma Faith and a message in Welsh from the Princess of Wales
Shania Twain sent a video message to congratulate him, and Paloma Faith sang Make Your Own Kind of Music for him at the finish.
The Princess of Wales had sent a good-luck message in Welsh before the final leg.
Queen drummer Roger Taylor also urged him on.
Blaenavon to Cardiff, the morning after the Tumble
Friday’s final leg began in Blaenavon, where Thursday’s ride had ended, and took him over Caerphilly Mountain.
He had faced freezing temperatures overnight, with a wind chill of between minus five and minus ten.
He had set off from Glasgow on Monday. The route took him through Northern Ireland and north west England, and back into Wales.
Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said he had “truly captured the hearts of the nation this week”.
A film of the ride, Owain Wyn Evans: Four Nations Challenge for BBC Children in Need, is on BBC One on Friday 20 November at 7.30pm. Donations are still open at bbc.co.uk/owain.
Discover more from Swansea Bay News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
