Owain Wyn Evans begins cycling challenge for Children In Need

Presenter Owain Wyn Evans has set off on his four-nation cycling challenge in aid of Children In Need.

The Welsh broadcaster is taking part in a five-day cycle ride that will take him through Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales, before finishing in Cardiff on Friday.

Evans, 42, began the challenge on Monday morning in Glasgow with BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox cheering him on from the studio.

In a video shared on Instagram, Evans set off on his bike as Cox said: “He’ll be pushing off now. The crowd will be going wild.

“He’ll be getting his balance, getting his head straight. He’s got a long way to go. Day one of Owain’s four nations cycle challenge.”

Evans spoke to Cox on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show live from the start line: “Glasgow is gorgeous this morning.

“Honestly, we couldn’t have hoped for better weather to kick off the challenge because it’s dry for now, it’s a bit misty, it’s like I’m doing the weather again.”

Evans’ bike has been named Shania Chain, with other suggestions from BBC Radio 2 listeners including Áine Bike, Britney Gears and Kylie Spinogue.

Shania Twain was impressed so much that Owain’s bike had been named after her that she sent a message of good luck.

She said: “Hi Owain, Shania Twain here! You’re about to take on an incredible challenge for BBC Children In Need, cycling 400 miles through all four nations.

Singer Shania Twain sent Evans a message of good luck (Ian West/PA)

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“As you set off in Glasgow, I just want to say ‘Let’s Go, Owain!’ We’ll be cheering you on all the way. Good luck!”

The broadcaster also received well wishes from BBC Radio Wales Breakfast presenters Dot Davies and James Williams.

Evans said: “We’ve just kicked off. I’m just in the centre of Glasgow and already it’s been so lovely, the support – people waving, beeping their horns.

“It’s going to be a long old journey. It’s going to be tough. That’s why it’s a challenge.”

The presenter is cycling towards the west coast of Scotland where he will catch a ferry to Northern Ireland.

Evans told Davies and Williams that being picked last in PE as a child shaped his feelings about sport long after leaving school.

Evans said he was ‘always the one picked last in PE’ (Ian West/PA)

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He said: “I was always the one picked last in PE, and that’s given me a very weird relationship with sport and exercise growing up.

“As a 42-year-old, I’m finally alright with exercise again, and it’s thanks to this challenge that I’m in that place now.”

The three-hour Children In Need fundraising programme will be broadcast live from Salford, featuring “dazzling performances, exclusive sketches and surprise appearances”.

The show will include a return of the Children In Need choir, and will showcase inspiring stories from children and young people across the UK to highlight the impact of the charity.

It will be hosted by Cox, The One Show’s Alex Jones and presenters Rylan Clark, Mel Giedroyc and Tyler West.

BBC Children In Need will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7pm on Friday.

Follow Owain’s journey on BBC Radio 2, BBC Sounds and at bbc.co.uk/owain