大象传媒

Scott Mills has been walking, jogging and even crab-dancing for a whole 24 hours on a treadmill for 大象传媒 Children in Need 2022.

Just a couple of weeks after the launch of his new Radio 2 weekday afternoon show, Scott stepped up to take on The Great Scott TreadMills Challenge, which kicked-off at 8.20am on Wednesday 16 November.

To try and keep him smiling through the epic 24 hour endurance challenge, Scott was joined by a whole host of special guests and Radio 2 presenters to keep him energised and motivated, all live from the 大象传媒 Radio Theatre in London.

Here are just a few of the many highlights, memorable moments, bad jokes and shellfish surprises from Scott's challenge…

Scott was given an early boost by friend and Eurovision legend, Sam Ryder. Sam swung by to serenade Scott with a live rendition of Space Man aka Pace Man, complete with brand new motivational lyrics painfully created over months (…. or according to Sam, written in the back of a taxi on the way over). It’s a beautiful moment as Sam promises Scott ‘He’ll be your pace man’ (sung whilst very much standing still). Douze points all round.

Someone should have told Lemar that Scott’s challenge is a marathon not a sprint. Because the 大象传媒 Fame Academy star challenged Scott, Joe Wicks and Pudsey to cover 50m x 50m by the time he’d finished singing 50/50. And did they do it? Of course they did. Absolute jogger-naughts.

What’s even better than one Radio 2 Daytime presenter on a treadmill raising money for Children In Need? All the Radio 2 Daytime presenters on a treadmill raising money for Children in Need. Scott might be new to the station, but he’s already one of the family, and the whole of the daytime crew came along to show their support.

If there’s a man who knows about getting though gruelling 24 hour challenges it’s Joe Wicks, who back in 2020 took on a 24 hour PE workout for Children in Need. Ouch. But this time Joe was the ultimate buddy coach as he came to cheer on Scott, and even created a special workout for our Treader-Man. Full respect to two money-raising running machines taking on the running machines.

Greg James and Greg Rutherford joined Scott and Jeremy Vine for a game of Greggheads. But there was one question on everybody’s mind – Jeremy. Why are you going so fast?!

Your money don’t jiggle jiggle it… helps Scott raise as much money as possible for Children In Need. Louis Theroux swung by with some words of wisdom for Scott about getting through epic physical challenges. Because who better to talk about making it through epic physical challenges than… Bear Grylls who Louis heard this advice from.

It’s the GC baby. On the TM baby. With SM baby. OK, we’ll stop now. But you get the idea. Turns out Gemma Collins is getting involved, and she turned up on the treadmill to enjoy herself GC style. And of course she spread a little sparkle too - are those sunglasses or runglasses Scott?

By Wednesday evening Scott was dreading all the treading he had left, but what a boost when B*Witched performed not only 'C’est La Vie' but 'Blame It On The Treddar-Man' too. Say you're true, say to me, Scott la vie!

And the Treadmill themed tracks didn’t stop coming. Tom Walker took a turn on the treadmill and surprised Scott by serenading him with special versions of ‘Just You and I’ and ‘Leave A Light On’, complete with motivational lyrics:

"Cause Scott Mills is a legend, he's raising money on a treadmill..."
"Scott TreadMills, it’s a challenge and a half, but he’s the best in class.
Walking for 24 hours, he could probably do with a shower…"

And in the last hour of the challenge the Sportiest Singer of all, Mel C arrived to cheer on Scott and sing along a very special version of '2 Become 1'.

“You did a little jog, now I’m back for more. More those tired feet, it’s the only way to be.”

Mel did admit, “I don’t know if a ballad was the best choice to keep you motivated, but you’re so close! C’mon!” before belting out a singalong of 'Spice Up Your Life'. Not sure Scott had the energy to slam it to the left, or even shake it to the right, but it definitely gave him a much needed energy burst to reach that finish line.

Walking, jogging and dancing for 24 hours takes strength, endurance and pushing through the pain barrier many, many times. As did getting through some of these Running Jokes. Throughout Scott’s challenge he was joined by funny people including Zoe Lyons, Aurie Styla, Tim Vine, Jamie Laing, Suzi Ruffell, Shazia Mirza and Simon Brodkin who all brought their own Running Jokes to help Scott keep smiling through the stepping. Here are some of our favourites:

Suzi Ruffell: Why did DJ Scott Mills get disqualified from the 800m? Because he kept changing tracks!

Zoe Lyons: I'm all about the support. At my age, I don't do sports bras anymore, I just need two very supportive knee-length socks.

Tim Vine: After this you can have a holiday. I once went on a holiday with a horse. It was self-cantering.

Radio 2 Breakfast’s Zoe Ball surprised Scott with his very own Ball’s Button – a big red button to press whenever he needed a boost to bring his energy up.

And 15 hours into his challenge Scott was more than a little surprised when he pressed it for a second time and out popped four professional dancers from Pineapple Studios!

The dancers turned the treadmills into a dance floor with a motivational performance to lift Scott’s spirits. But that wasn’t the only Ball’s Button shock – Scott was also surprised with a game of Mr & Mr with his fiancé Sam, his mum mastering a video call to say how proud she was, Sam Ryder singing Pace Man, and a chat with Mark Owen.

Over twenty hours into the challenge and for Scott the treadmill was really feeling like a dreadmill, and he probably wanted to be back in bedmill (ok we’ll stop again now).

But who should surprise Scott but Strictly Come Dancing royalty in the form of Kai Widdrington, Nadiya Bychkova, Richie Anderson & Joanne Clifton. And of course, the iconic crab costume, which was unleashed as the Strictly stars and Scott shimmied their way through a treadmill-bound version of Scott & Jo's Samba to 'Under The Sea', from their partnership on Strictly in 2014. What a shell-abration! Round of a-claws! Iconic behaviour on the seabed-mill! Sorry that really was the last one. Keeeeep treading!

And he did it! Shortly after Mel C serenaded Scott with a rendition of '2 Become 1' and 'Spice Up Your Life', Scott finished his incredible feat/feet. A whole 24 hours walked, limped, cried and danced on a treadmill for Children in Need. And the elation was clear to see. Joined by Mel C, Radio 2's Breakfast presenter Zoe Ball, Richie Anderson and of course the ever youthful Pudsey, when Scott finally stopped stepping he’d already raised £875k – with the total still going up. Scott had trouble believing what had just happened, and how generous all the donations and support had been.

Zoe Ball: "Was there ever a point when you thought you might not?"

Scott: "Yes, 3:56 this morning.."

cue Tina Turner - Simply The Best...

• As It Happened - relive our live coverage of The Great Scott TreadMills Challenge

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