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Paddy McGuinness: Riding with Chris Hoy was honour

BBC Paddy McGuinness said Sir Chris Hoy outside a campervan. Paddy wears black hat and pumps his first in the air and chris is in a red cycling top pointing at paddy.BBC
Paddy McGuinness said Sir Chris Hoy is a great friend

Paddy McGuinness says it was an honour to have Sir Chris Hoy along for the ride after completing his 300-mile Children in Need challenge for BBC Radio 2 in Scotland.

He arrived in Glasgow on his Raleigh Chopper bike to a large crowd of supporters and live music from Chesney Hawkes.

He said it had been an "absolute treat" to cycle with Sir Chris for part of the ride and see him dance to Black Lace's Agadoo at a service station in Strathaven.

The former Top Gear and Question of Sport host, 51, raised more than £7.5m on his five-day journey from Wales on a customised 1970s children's bike, called Patch.

Photo from behind with Paddy McGuinness on the left, riding his chopper and wearing a bright hi-vis jacket with Children in Need banners flying from the back of the bike with Sir Chris Hoy on the right wearing a black and red jacket, his left arm outstretched and touching Paddy's shoulder as they cycle together on a road
McGuinness trained for his cycling challenge with Sir Chris.

Sir Chris had surprised him during a live radio interview with Scott Mills on Day 4.

He told BBC Scotland News: "I've had Sir Chris' voice in my head all the way, just the little tips he's given me and then when he joined me at Crawford, I was just absolutely over the moon honestly."

McGuinness said he had been pushed to his "absolute limits" when he trained for his challenge with the six-time Olympic champion.

"It's like being a football fan and having a kickabout with Messi," he said.

"If you're a cyclist you'd give your right arm to train with him.

"He's so inspiring, he gets me through the days when we're out training and he's just a pleasure to be around."

Pudsey, Sir Tom Hunter and Paddy McGuinness with arms around one another, standing next to a chopper
Sir Tom Hunter pledged to match the donations to Children in Need

With the finish line in his sights, Paddy was joined by another supporter and friendly face - businessman and philanthropist, Sir Tom Hunter.

Sir Tom's charity The Hunter Foundation pledged to match donations to Children in Need up to £2m - he later raised this to £3m.

McGuinness said: "It was nice coming into Glasgow and him talking about the area like a tour guide and his story, how he started, that guy is an inspiration.

"People like Sir Tom do so much for charities and him at the side of me and seeing all those crowds, he was beaming and I was glad he saw that because he’s very much a part of it."

Paddy McGuinness on stage playing air guitar as Chesney Hawkes, on his knees plays guitar with band in background
The one and only Paddy McGuinness was welcome by Chesney Hawkes

McGuinness's journey concluded at BBC Scotland HQ, welcomed by adoring fans and a live performance of The One and Only by 90s hit-maker Chesney Hawkes.

Thanking supporters for their welcome and donations, he tearfully recounted the moment he approached the final miles of the five day journey to see the sun rising over Glasgow.

He said: "Coming into Scotland, the pipers were out, the crowds were out and I was like 'they know how to do a party up here' and I loved it."