Mollie King

A year in 20 photographs 12/20 – Mollie King’s Pedal Power Challenge

BBC Comic Relief March 2024

Scot Tares and Mollie King arrive in Leeds at the Day 4 finish line of Mollie King Pedal Power Challenge for BBC Comic Relief and Red Nose Day — Scot Tares and Mollie King arrive in Leeds at the Day 4 finish line

As a proud member of Generation X (not Billy Idol’s first band of the same name), I can say with certainty that it’s been a long time since I have listened to Radio 1. Thus, when I was asked to be part of the team supporting Radio 1 DJ, Mollie King, on a charity cycle for BBC Comic Relief, I had to do some Google research to find out who I would be riding with.

I now know that Mollie was a member of The Saturdays, then a semi-finalist on Strictly Come Dancing and has now been a Radio 1 presenter since 2018. As the week progressed, I also discovered that she raced for Great Britain as one of the youngest team members in the British Ski Academy.

I also learned that she is an incredibly lovely person; kind, generous, and down-to-earth. You would be forgiven for thinking, after seeing the list of accomplishments in her career, that she would be flush with confidence.

Scot Tares, Mollie King and Tracy Corbett at the finish line of Mollie King Pedal Power Challenge for BBC Comic Relief and Red Nose Day — Scot Tares, Mollie King and Tracy Corbett at the finish line of
Mollie King Pedal Power Challenge for BBC Comic Relief and Red Nose Day

I first met Molly as she pedalled out of BBC Broadcasting House in London. When she crossed the start line of her 500 km, five-day Pedal Power Challenge, I rode alongside her and introduced myself. As we talked, she told me she would be delighted to reach a total of £10,000. She was wildly underestimating her target as, by the end of the event, she had raised an incredible £1.3 million.

Cycling through challenges with a smile

Over the coming week, we chatted a lot. It was clear that Mollie’s lack of confidence in her abilities was a contributing factor to her humility and fantastic personality. She went out of her way each day to engage with the public and to thank her support team, the amazing Behind the Scenes team directed by Paul Collin. Throughout the week, even during the toughest moments, she always had a smile.

The support team from Behind the Scenes at the finish line of Mollie King Pedal Power Challenge for BBC Comic Relief and Red Nose Day — The fantastic team at Behind the Scenes supporting Mollie King throughout her challenge

It is always an honour to be on a support team, but these events are tough: 4 am alarms; thirteen-hour days in the saddle; wet and cold weather … Being part of a great team always makes this easier; riding with someone as kind and genuine as Mollie King makes it a pleasure.