Scott Mills to take to treadmill for 24 hours in aid of BBC Children in Need

Scott Mills is set to spend 24 hours walking, jogging and running on a treadmill to raise money for BBC Children in Need 2022.

The radio presenter will embark on the Great Scott TreadMills Challenge for Radio 2 on November 16 and finish the following day.

Speaking about the upcoming challenge, 49-year-old Mills said: “As the newbie here at Radio 2, I just hope I can step up to this epic challenge for BBC Children in Need!

“I can’t let the side down for the station, especially after seeing the incredible feats of endurance in previous years by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Joe Wicks and Rylan.

“To get in shape, I’m walking, doing lots and lots of walking!”

Mills recently began hosting his own show on BBC Radio 2 after stepping down from his weekday afternoon slot on Radio 1 in August.

During the treadmill challenge, Radio 2 presenters will continue to broadcast their regular live shows from the BBC Radio Theatre in London, where the challenge will also be taking place.

Zoe Ball, who broke the news of Mills’s challenge during her show on Monday morning, Ken Bruce, Jeremy Vine, Sara Cox, Jo Whiley, Trevor Nelson, OJ Borg and Nicki Chapman will all help to keep Mills company over the course of his 24 hours on the treadmill.

Mills will broadcast his own 2-4pm slot on the station while he carries out the challenge. He will also be joined by a host of special guests during the course of the 24 hours who will provide support and encouragement as they walk and run with him on one of four other treadmills.

Helen Thomas, head of BBC Radio 2, said: “What better way to welcome Scott Mills to the Radio 2 family by inviting him to undertake the network’s annual 24-hour challenge for BBC Children in Need this November. Go for it Scott, we’re supporting you all the way!”

Listeners will be able to send in messages of support and donate to BBC Children in Need via text during the course of the challenge.

The Great Scott TreadMills Challenge follows in the footsteps of Radio 2’s previous 24-hour challenges for BBC Children in Need, including Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco Danceathon which raised more than £1 million in 2021, and the Joe Wicks 24 Hour PE Challenge which raised more than £2.5 million in 2020.

In 2019, Rylan Clark undertook his 24-hour Great Ka-RY-oke Challenge, which helped Radio 2 raise more than £2 million for Children in Need, and in 2018, Radio 2’s Good Morning Sunday presenters Reverend Kate Bottley and Jason Mohammad took on a swimming challenge in the cold waters of Salford Quays.

Simon Antrobus, chief executive of BBC Children in Need, said: “We are enormously grateful to Radio 2 and Scott for their commitment to helping children and young people across the UK at a time when it really is needed most, and will be cheering Scott on from the sidelines as he undertakes this mammoth 24-hour challenge for BBC Children In Need! Thank you so much and good luck!”

The Great Scott TreadMills Challenge kicks off at 8.20am on November 16 and will be broadcast live on Radio 2, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds for the full 24 hours.