Comics relieved to be offered use of leisure centre loos
STAFF and customers at a Mid Devon sports centre had a surprise visit from exhausted celebrities keen to use their toilets and showers.
Television presenter Patrick Kielty and comedians David Walliams, Miranda Hart and Russell Howard were taking part in the Sport Relief Million Pound Bike Ride when they called into the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre in Crediton.
-
Exe Valley Leisure Centre duty manager Shane Long and Dan Conibere with Patrick Kielty
-
Comedian Russell Howard was among celebrities to take part in the Sport Relief Million Pound Bike Ride
-
Little Britain star David Walliams poses for a snap outside the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre with duty manager Darren Beer
They were among a group of celebrities taking part in a non- stop relay from John o' Groats on the tip of Scotland to Land's End in Cornwall.
At around 8am, and in front of bemused commuters, they held a change-over at Tiverton Parkway station.
Miranda Hart then rode to Crediton, with the rest of the celebrities and a film crew following in a support bus.
Darren Beer, duty manager at Lords Meadow, said he had been told to expect a visit — but did not know from whom.
"It was a bit of a shock when they all turned up," he said.
"We sort of had a guess that we might get a visit from the Sport Relief team because we had been told to expect some guests, but we had no idea who it might be.
"It was about 8am when the runners came and explained what was going to happen and the celebrities arrived at about 9.15am.
"They were all very tired. They had been cycling since Monday in two-hour shifts, night and day. Patrick Kielty did the run up to Tiverton Parkway station and Miranda Hart did the run to here. Russell Howard was doing the next leg.
"Patrick was very amusing and they were all very down to earth and friendly. The cast and crew made the most of the showers and toilets and the stars chatted to staff and had their pictures taken."
The relay finished later that day, raising more than £1m for Sport Relief, part of the Comic Relief charity.
Jimmy Carr, Fearne Cotton and Davina McCall also took part in the four-day fundraising event.
"It was tough, we were cycling through the night at minus 15 degrees sometimes," Walliams said afterwards.
"We're all shattered. But it was great working as a team. There were no egos.
"We were all supporting each other a lot. We've all shared something quite special together."
Comments