A DOCUMENTARY about the trials of a Radio 1 DJ and reality TV star who made a splash in Rugby during his gruelling 100-mile charity rowing challenge airs tonight (Tuesday March 15).
Jordan North, who co-hosts BBC Radio 1’s drivetime show, rested overnight in the town two weeks ago after rowing 24 miles in cold and wet conditions on day two of his relentless Red Nose Day ordeal, arriving via the Oxford Canal.
Rowing Home with Jordan North, which follows the I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here runner-up as he rowed for five days straight along the country’s canals from London to his hometown of Burnley, debuts on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer at 8.30pm tonight.
The 30-minute documentary will show Jordan battling the unpredictable British weather, a drained canal, billions of blisters, serious fatigue, and territorial swans.
He completed his challenge, and has raised over £700,000 for Red Nose Day so far – but fell to the ground in exhaustion on the second day, when he arrived in Rugby.
Jordan said: “When Comic Relief called me to ask if I’d be up for a rowing challenge to raise money for Red Nose Day, I honestly said ‘how hard can rowing be?’ It was honestly the hardest week of my life.
“Within a few hours my bum was aching, my back was hurting, and within a few days I could feel every stroke of the oars throughout my entire body.
“Being out on the water, by yourself, trying to get through eight hours of rowing in a day is so mentally challenging. I had to keep thinking about the end goal – to raise money for Red Nose Day – and to do it for everyone who was taking the time to donate and send messages. I received so much support from BBC Radio 1 listeners, the team who were with me and the amazing people I saw along the canals. It was amazing and really helped me to keep my chin up.”
Money raised by Red Nose Day – which takes place on Friday (March 18) – will help people in the UK and around the world live free from poverty, violence and discrimination, and support people with their mental health. Donations will also help to fund organisations providing support for people in Ukraine affected by the conflict and the mass displacement of people in many parts of the world.
Visit www.comicrelief.com/rowinghome to read Jordan’s story and to donate.
