Radio 1 DJ Mollie King has swapped her microphone for a bike as she takes an epic cycling trip across Britain to raise money for Comic Relief.
The former star of The Saturdays, 36, is taking part in the Pedal Power Challenge, which will see her travel across England in just five days.
The singer leaves London on Monday and hopes to arrive in Hull, the birthplace of her late father Stephen, on Red Nose Day (Friday).
The mother-of-one has said her father, who passed away in November 2022 after a brain tumor diagnosis, has been her inspiration to keep pedaling the difficult path.
But which locations will Mollie visit during her five-day trip? MailOnline watch the Radio 1 presenter’s admirable fundraising challenge.
Radio 1 DJ Mollie King has swapped her microphone for a bicycle as she takes an epic journey across Britain to raise money for Comic Relief
The former star of The Saturdays, 36, takes part in the Pedal Power challenge, which will see her tour England in just five days
Where does Mollie King cycle for Comic Relief?
Mollie began her mammoth fundraising task on March 11, starting from Radio 1’s London headquarters.
She has already managed to pass through the towns of Towcester and Burton-upon-Trent before venturing to Manchester and Leeds.
On day two she managed to impressively cycle her way to Northampton before embarking on another 11 grueling hours of cycling.
But on day three, Mollie admitted she found the challenge difficult during her trip to Manchester.
She is currently on day four of her fundraising task and will cross the finish line in Hull on Red Nose Day on Friday, March 15.
Explaining why she was so quick to take on the challenge, the Radio 1 presenter said: ‘It’s still very difficult to talk about him – I hate talking about him in the past tense. But when I was asked to do this, I thought: I have to do it.
‘I want to help people who are struggling, and that’s exactly what Comic Relief does. They are great.
“They help people who are homeless, struggling with poverty and bereavement – among so many other things.”
The mother-of-one has said her father Stephen (pictured), who passed away in November 2022 after a brain tumor diagnosis, has been her inspiration to keep pedaling.
On day three, Mollie admitted she found the challenge tough on her trip to Manchester
How can I follow Mollie King’s cycling progress?
Those who want to follow Mollie on her journey can stay up to date via her tracker, which is broadcast via her social media channels.
Her colleagues at Radio 1 and 2 blasted the former singer during her fundraising challenge and read out messages of support from listeners.
Pop star Craig David, who is also a Radio 2 presenter, told the songwriter to keep her father in mind.
He said, “Be in the moment enough to be aware of moments, that’s Steve saying he’s with you along the way.”
By March 14, Mollie had managed to raise a staggering amount for Comic Relief, raising over £400,000.
Speaking to Radio 1 presenter Greg James, Mollie revealed she was worried she wouldn’t be able to complete the task ahead.
She said: ‘It’s tough, it’s really tough. I’m exhausted. I feel like I haven’t had any kind of recovery since I got off the bike.
“My muscles are like, ‘Oh, are we doing this again?’ It’s pretty brutal. I think in the beginning there was so much excitement and adrenaline keeping me going and now I’m exhausted.
“It feels like every push on the stairs is more of a struggle.”
She added: “Salford. The thought of getting there tonight, is that going to happen? It’s just so exhausting, it’s so hard.’
Greg jokingly responded, “There are terrible lows in these things, but there will be incredible highs.” Think about other things, don’t think about Salford.
“The money raised is extraordinary, this might just give you the boost you need for the next half hour.”
Her colleagues kept her upbeat, with Craig David and Greg James (pictured) sharing their words of encouragement to the former singer
Who is Mollie Koning?
Mollie King is a radio host, songwriter and pop singer.
Before her stint on Radio 1, she was best known as part of the girl band The Saturdays, with Rochelle Humes, Una Healy, Frankie Bridge and Vanessa White.
The group split in 2014 after seven years together and four albums and tours.
After the end of the band, Mollie started presenting performances on Radio 1 and This Morning.
Outside of showbusiness, Mollie has a daughter called Annabella, 16 months, with her sports partner Stuart Broad, 37.
Tragedy struck the singer’s life when her father, Stephen, passed away just days after her daughter’s birth in 2022.
Her father, who was diagnosed with the tumor during Mollie’s pregnancy, met his granddaughter before he died.
When her father passed away, Mollie took to Instagram to announce the news, sharing a series of photos of her and Stephen.
She wrote: ‘Heartbreaking beyond words. In August, my family’s world came crashing down when my father was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“Last week we had to face the day we hoped would never come and say goodbye. Dad, we love you with all our hearts and we will miss you every day.
“You have been our hero and it is impossible to think of our lives without you.”
Mollie was previously a member of the girl group The Saturdays (pictured from left to right in 2011: Frankie Bridge Una Healy, Rochelle Humes, Vanessa White and Mollie)
Outside of showbusiness, Mollie has a daughter called Annabella, 16 months, with her sports partner Stuart Broad, 37 (pictured together this week)
Her daughter Annabella was born just days before her father tragically passed away in 2022
