HE is a self-described running novice who only completed his first 10k earlier this month.
But Jamie Laing is preparing to take on five consecutive marathons — all in the name of raising cash for Comic Relief.
Jamie has the backing of self-styled ‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook[/caption]
The reality TV star turned Radio 1 Drivetime host will run more than 150 miles from London to Salford in Manchester, starting on March 17.
But first he is on a mission to get donations rolling in.
When Jamie joined Radio 1 in December, hosting Drivetime with Vick Hope and Katie Thistleton, we went out for a coffee and I suggested he take on a challenge.
Self-deprecating as ever, Jamie told me he was worried people wouldn’t donate, adding: “They think I’m rich already so why give me any money? I’m not, to add.”
Chatting to me from his office this week, he says with a laugh: “I’ll be tapping up Jack Whitehall.
“Come on, Jack, give me loads of your money.”
But it is this fear over getting donations that made Jamie want to push himself to his limits.
He says: “I want to make it as hard as physically possible.
“To the point where I actually don’t know if I’m going to do it because then at least people will see how gruelling and tough it is and actually go, ‘Do you know what he’s done?’.
“It’s a lot of hard work to try and change people’s opinion of me.
“From starting on Made In Chelsea to going to Radio 1, everyone had an opinion on it.
“I realised in my heart that if I was going to make it easy then that was not going to work whatsoever.”
And there is nothing easy about Jamie’s challenge.
He adds: “The 150 miles is as the crow flies.
“With all the hills and curves, we think it’s going to be closer to 200 miles in five days.”
With the backing of his wife Sophie Habboo, who said he was “insane” when he first talked to her about the run, Jamie is now training hard.
And he’s got the best man backing him in the shape of self-styled “Hardest Geezer” Russ Cook, who last year raised £1million for charity by becoming the first person to run the entire length of Africa.
Jamie says: “I spoke to Russ and he told me, ‘You’re going to be in a world of pain. This is going to be awful for you’.
“But he said I needed to find the reason I was doing it because I will need to channel that when I am running.
“Russ said if I can find that then I might just make it.
“For me, the reason is Comic Relief and the thought of helping them and the amazing work they do.
“It’s an incredible institution.
“That is what will keep me going.”
Jamie also has personal reasons for wanting to push himself to his limit — his own struggles with mental health.
“In my twenties I suffered with anxiety terribly and I never spoke about it,” Jamie tells me.
‘World of pain’
“I went on a run one day when I was about 27, and I hadn’t done any real exercise since I was 18.
“And I had a brief half an hour where the anxiety lifted.
“That led to me calling my friend, Toby.
“I told him everything and he was amazing.
“He told me, ‘Don’t worry, we can go through this together’.
“That was amazing.
“I realised I could talk about it.
“Since then my motivation has been to just put one foot in front of the other.
“When you’re feeling down, when you’re feeling anxious, depressed, whatever it may be, you’ve just got to keep going.
“And you’ve got to talk about it.
“So I am doing this for all those people suffering, and all the people who have suffered.
“This is my motivation.
“I am doing it for them.”
I will be in touch with Jamie throughout his challenge and will update you on every day of the agonising process next month.
To find out more and donate, like me, visit comicrelief.com/ultra.
Saddle do nicely for Kim
Kim Kardashian in leather chaps and a hat alongside beaming daughter Chicago, 7, in a white tasselled skirt and matching boots[/caption]
Kim shared a snap of herself getting stuck into a pink pinata[/caption]
The party was a Wild West-themed bash inspired by Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album[/caption]
KIM KARDASHIAN’S daughter Chicago had an unBey-lievable birthday, with a Wild West-themed bash inspired by the Cowboy Carter album from Beyonce.
She shared a snap of herself in leather chaps and a hat alongside a beaming Chicago in a white tasselled skirt and matching boots.
Posting the photos on Instagram, Kim wrote: “Chicago’s 7th cowgirl birthday.”
They decked out their home in California with a bar made out of hay bales, fake cows and horses, and a playmat.
But after sharing a snap of herself getting stuck into a pink pinata, it looked like Kim was having more fun than the kids.
Paul tells how he spread his Wings
Sir Paul McCartney is bringing out a tell-all book on his band Wings[/caption]
SIR PAUL McCARTNEY has added another string to his bow and is bringing out a tell-all book on his band Wings.
Wings: The Story Of A Band On The Run will see Paul reflecting on his life after The Beatles and how he reinvented himself in music.
The book, put together by historian Ted Widmer, is based on hours of interviews with Sir Paul and includes never-before-told stories about the band, who created huge hits including Live And Let Die, Band On The Run and Silly Love Songs.
Of the book, which is out on November 4, Sir Paul said: “I’m so happy to be transported back to the time that was Wings and relive some of our madcap adventures.
“Starting from scratch after The Beatles felt crazy at times.
“There were some very difficult moments and I often questioned my decision.
“But as we got better I thought, ‘OK, this is really good.’
“We proved Wings could be a really good band.
“To play to huge audiences in the way The Beatles had and to have an impact in a different way – it was a huge buzz.”
Ezra land Brits
Ezra Collective are the final act to be confirmed for a Brit Awards performance[/caption]
EZRA COLLECTIVE are already nominated for four prizes at Saturday’s Brit Awards and now they have become the final act to be confirmed to perform, accompanied by special guest Jorja Smith.
The cool London jazz group, below, will replace US star Shaboozey who had to pull out, and join a line-up including Sabrina Carpenter, Teddy Swims and Sam Fender.
Once again the biggest and best parties are being lined up across the capital where the stars can celebrate once the cameras stop rolling at the O2 Arena.
Sony Music’s after-party looks set to be the hottest ticket in town, with guests including Harry Styles, Pink and Kendall Jenner all partying with the record label in previous years.
While this year’s guest list is top secret, we expect to see the likes of Jade and Calvin Harris joining the fun at posh hotel Nobu Portman Square on Saturday night.
Bosses are putting on a luxury spread of sushi, black cod, truffle and wagyu beef.
Free flowing bubbles – Laurent Perrier champagne, no less – will also be on hand.
Putting the Grammys’ famous GlamBot red carpet camera to shame, they can also get snapped in a high-end Japanese lantern studio.
If that wasn’t enough, VIPs will also get the mother of all goody bags, or in this case, suitcases – an Antler one filled with up to £1,500 of treats including Ray Ban sunglasses, Floral Street fragrance and more.
Craig’s ready to Commit
Craig David has released a new single called Commitment[/caption]
CRAIG DAVID has launched a fresh assault on the charts with new single Commitment.
The track, which features Tiwa Savage, comes off the back of his huge UK arena tour, which he wrapped up last week.
I was lucky enough to have a cheeky listen to the afrobeats-inspired song when I last caught up with the singer in December and I can confirm it’s magic.
Craig said of the track, from his next album: “Commitment is a song all about relationships and how meaningful relationships need commitment when things get tough.
“Having Tiwa Savage bless this song with her beautiful voice and bring her side of this love story was the perfect full circle.”
Have a listen, you won’t be disappointed
Epic spell on screen for John
John Lithgow is set to play Professor Dumbledore in the TV reboot of Harry Potter[/caption]
OSCAR nominee John Lithgow will play Professor Dumbledore in the big-budget TV reboot of Harry Potter.
The US actor, who has starred in movies including Footloose, Interstellar and Conclave, is the first major signing for the upcoming wizarding series from HBO, which is due out next year.
He has admitted he was hesitant about accepting the role, as it will run for almost a decade.
John, who is 79, said the casting “came as a total surprise”.
He explained: “I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid.
“That’s why it’s been such a hard decision.
“I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”
TRAVIS KELCE got over losing the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles by listening to girlfriend Taylor Swift‘s music.
The NFL ace, who plays for Kansas City Chiefs, said: “The Eagles broke my heart.
“I just listen to Taylor’s music.
“She has something for everything.”
The power couple are enjoying a well-earned break after Tay wrapped her epic Eras tour at the end of last year.
