Bleakley achieves water-ski goal

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Christine Bleakley

Christine Bleakley has admitted she is scared of water


The One Show presenter Christine Bleakley has completed her water-ski challenge across the English Channel in one hour and 40 minutes.

The star had aimed to complete Sport Relief challenge in just over an hour.

She raised thousands of pounds by crossing the 21-mile busy shipping lane to France.

Bleakley, 31, suffered several delays to the start of her challenge because of bad weather. Strong winds meant she faced sub-zero temperatures.

‘Crazy idea’

Beforehand the presenter had admitted to being "petrified" by the challenge as she is frightened of water, and is not a strong swimmer.

The star has been in training for just a few weeks and has only recently started water-skiing.

She decided to take on the "crazy" task for Sport Relief after visiting East Africa last year.



Despite everything Christine can still manage a smile. A sunnier disposition it would be hard to find

Sport Relief on Twitter

"I went to Uganda where I met Hajjara, a teenage girl carrying the weight of the world on her young shoulders," Bleakley said.

"After losing her parents to Aids, she’s been left all alone to care for her younger siblings."

The star’s progress was followed on the official Sport Relief Twitter feed. Shortly after she began the challenge, it said: "Seventh fall – seven miles done. Cold, hard, slog."

Messages of support for the presenter have also been posted on The One Show’s website.

Eddie Cheever said: "You are crazy and amazing all at the same time."

And David Anthony called her "an inspiration".

Footage of her challenge will be shown on The One Show which starts at 1900 GMT on Friday.

A whole host of stars have been taking part in sporting challenges for the charity.

Earlier this month David Walliams, Fearne Cotton and Davina McCall completed a bike ride from John O’Groats on the tip of Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall.

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