Cheryl praises inspirational racer Billy Monger’s gruelling Red Nose Day challenge in rare TV appearance
CHERYL praised double amputee Billy Monger’s inspirational Red Nose Day Challenge in a rare TV appearance.
In a clip from tonight’s BBC One programme, Billy Monger’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge, Cheryl told of her admiration for the 21-year-old racer, who lost both his legs in a crash in 2017.
Billy took on a 140-mile walking, cycling and kayaking challenge across England, and Cheryl was there to see him off.
She said: “I have come here today to support Billy. Billy is honestly fascinating to me.
“The fact he’s been challenged so much already in his life and then challenging himself again for other people just tells you everything about Billy that you need to know.
“He’s an amazing person and a strong character, he’s funny and he’s cheeky, and I knew I had to be here to just give him that last push of support.”
Billy completed his challenge last month, with the final stretch culminating in 50 miles of walking and cycling around Brands Hatch race track.
He started his challenge with an 18-mile walk from Gateshead to Durham Castle followed by six-and-a-half miles of kayaking in the Lake District.
The next stage saw him cycle 65 miles from Birmingham to Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, before his laps of Brands Hatch.
Last month Cheryl gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse of their meeting on Instagram.
It was her first public appearance in 10 months, and she couldn’t have been prouder to back Billy’s efforts.
The 37-year-old told her fans that it was the first day in ages that she had gone on a work trip.
Sitting in the back of the car, Cheryl looked stylish in a mustard high neck jumper and a brown plaid winter coat.
She said: “Today is the first day I’ve actually been somewhere to work and I went to meet up with Billy Monger.
“If you haven’t heard of him, you should really go and look him up.
“He is an incredible 21-year-old, who has been through a horrific accident. He lost both of his legs when he was 17 and got straight back up and did all the things he wanted to do.
“Now he’s challenging himself for Comic Relief. He’s walking, cycling and kayaking from Newcastle to London.
“I know that you’re going to love him as much as I do because he’s unbelievable.”
The star then met up with Billy where he took over her Instagram, sharing a clip of the pair sitting together on a bench.
He said: “Hey guys I’ve taken over Cheryl’s Instagram, if you guys could donate for such a great cause.”
Cheryl added: “I was telling Billy how generous and how supportive and kind you all are, Billy is at the end of his challenge – so please donate.”
The Greatest Dancer star had a quiet 2020 in lockdown with her three-year-old son Bear.
The former Girls Aloud singer made her last public appearance in April 2020 when she promoted the NHS t-shirt on Instagram.
She wrote: “Thursdays at 8pm is firmly becoming what I look forward to most each week!
“I’m so happy to be supporting clap for our carers who are raising funds for our incredible NHS staff, there are no words to thank you all for everything you’re doing and continue to do, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”