Jamie Laing ultramarathon LIVE: TV star completes gruelling five-day Comic Relief challenge
JAMIE Laing has finished his Comic Relief ultramarathon challenge after smashing over £1million in donations.
The Radio 1 presenter has run a total of 150 miles across five days.
You can donate to Jamie's run and follow our live blog, below, for all the latest updates ...
How to donate
To donate any amount online to Comic Relief and to support Jamie’s challenge, , which will take you to an external donation page for Comic Relief.
Sophie Habboo setting Jamie off outside BBC Broadcasting House in London this morning 'I've been feeling pretty nervous about it'
Ahead of his first ultramarathon today, Jamie posted the following on Instagram, including a very open account of his own battle with anxiety.
How to follow Jamie’s journey
Fans can follow Jamie’s every step thanks to live updates on the BBC Radio 1 website and social media.
The broadcaster is sharing videos and photos from Jamie’s run to keep fans updated.
Listeners can also tune in to Radio 1 to hear Jamie’s progress and exclusive interviews along the way.
We will also be posting live updates on his journey on this blog.
UPDATE: 'I've just run past my ex-girlfriend's house'
At 27km in, Jamie has just left a voicenote for Radio 1 – to say he has just run past his ex-girlfriend's home in North London.
"Everything is hurting ... and I wasn't expecting that," he adds.
UPDATE: 'It's a little tough this one'
Jamie has been speaking to Radio 1 in the past few minutes about his first day's ultramarathon – and it sounds like he's struggling.
"We're at 25 kilometres and I've never run this far before," he said. "We're in unchartered territory."
The former Made in Chelsea star said when he was looking at people he was beginning to see "mirages".
Oh dear ...
Welcome and summary
If you're just joining us, here is a quick recap on Jamie's 150-mile run from London to Salford for Comic Relief.
- The former Made in Chelsea Star set off at 8.20am this morning and hopes to run 5 ultra marathons in five days
- He was joined by his team and wife Sophie Habboo outside BBC Broadcasting House
- In his first day he will run 30.2 miles from London to Harpenden
- While passing through Hyde Park in London he was joined by 50 doppelgangers
- Fans can follow Jamie’s every step thanks to live updates on the BBC Radio 1 website and social media
- To date, the furthest he has run in any one day is 20km (12 miles)
- We will bring you all the latest updates here on this blog
Radio 1 presenter Jamie Laing outside BBC Broadcasting House in London Jamie takes the biscuit – but who is he?
Jamie first found fame on Made in Chelsea, where he was responsible for some of the show’s most viral moments.
He joined the show in its second series, in 2011, before launching the sweets company Candy Kittens.
The star is the great-great-grandson of Sir Alexander Grant who created the McVitie's Digestive Biscuit.
Since leaving Made in Chelsea, Jamie has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and has married his fellow TV star Sophie Habboo.
Jamie and his wife Sophie outside BBC Broadcasting House in London this morning 
Jamie and Sophie talk to the press ahead of his 150-mile run for Comic Relief UPDATE: 'I've done 15km and I'm a little bit tired – and my bottom is hurting'
Jamie has been speaking to Greg James on Radio 1 in the past few minutes about his first two hours of running.
He told his fellow presenter: "My whole body is like, 'What are you doing? We're not used to this!'"
No problem, Jamie, just 140 miles to go.
Radio 1 presenter Jamie Laing outside BBC Broadcasting House in London this morning Jamie Laing playlist
Here are some songs to inspire Jamie Laing as he takes on his gruelling 150-mile run from London to Salford following Greg James' Running Up That Hill tribute earlier (see post at 09.16).
- Born to Run - Bruce Sprinsgteen
- The Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner – Belle & Sebastian
- Run Thru – My Morning Jacket
- Run for the Hills - Iron Miaden
- Keep on Running - The Spencer Davies Group
Credit: AP:Associated Press
What is an Ultra Marathon – and how to donate
It's anything above a marathon - 26.2 miles. Today Jamie will be running 30.2 miles to Harpenden.
To donate any amount online to Comic Relief and to support Jamie’s challenge, .
The above link takes you to an external donation page for Comic Relief.
If you would like to donate via text:
- To donate £5 text the word FIVE to 70011
- To donate £10 text the word TEN to 70011
- To donate £20 text the word TWENTY to 70011
(UK ONLY) Texts cost your donation amount +1 std rate message. 100% of your donation will go to Comic Relief. You must be 16+ and have the bill payer’s permission.
For full terms and information on the registered charity, go to .
Blonde ambition
Here's a great pic from the BBC on Jamie's run through Hyde Park in London this morning – accompanied by 50 look-a-likes.
Credit: BBC Jamie's route for today
Here's his run for Monday:
'I'm doing this for every person who's experienced anxiety, OCD and depression'
Before starting his challenge, Jamie, pictured below with his wife, Sophie Habboo, sat down with Greg James to explain his reason for taking on the Ultra Marathon Man gauntlet.
He opened up about his own experience with anxiety, and said this challenge is about letting others experiencing their own mental health struggles to know they're not alone.
Credit: Getty 'We'll catch up with Jamie on today's show'
Radio 1 star Greg James will be speaking to Jamie live later on the morning show to find out how he's getting on. We'll bring you all the highlights of their catch-up as it happens.
In the meantime, here's another great pic from outside BBC Broadcasting House this morning, minutes before Jamie set off for Harpenden.
Radio 1 presenter Jamie Laing outside BBC Broadcasting House in London this morning Story behind Greg's song for Jamie
Kate Bush scored an inspiring No 1 in the UK singles chart after Running Up That Hill reached the top 37 years after the song was released.
The 1985 track stormed domestic and global charts after its inclusion in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things in 2022, introducing it to a new generation of fans.
More facts:
- Bush broken other UK chart records with her No 1 placing.
- She is the oldest woman to top the chart, while 37 years is the longest time a song has taken to get to No 1, beating Wham!, whose Last Christmas finally made it in January 2021.
Kate Bush on stage at the Hammersmith OdeonCredit: Redferns
'This one's for Jamie...'
Radio 1 DJ Greg James has just dedicated Kate Bush's immensely popular Running up That Hill to his fellow presenter on his programme this morning... Nice touch.
Credit: Instagram 
Credit: Latoya Fits/Comic Relief How to make a difference
Donations to Comic relief make a very real difference to people in the UK and around the world, whether you donate through Red Nose Day, Sport Relief or to Comic Relief at any other time of year.
Multibanks – which collect food and other items for those in need – and helping those who are homeless are just two of the areas that benefit from Comic Relief.
Credit: PA In pictures: the start of a long week
Here are some great pictures from outside BBC Broadcasting House this morning.
Radio 1 presenter Jamie Laing poses for a photo with his wife Sophie Habboo 
Jamie and Sophie say farewell outside BBC Broadcasting House in London this morning How you can help Jamie (and Comic Relief)
Red Nose Day is all about coming together, and Jamie’s hoping the nation will get behind him during this immense challenge.
You can send support and follow his progress on Radio 1.
You can also follow us here in our live blog.
Why is Jamie doing this run?
He’s taking on this huge feat to raise money for Comic Relief funded projects that help tackle some of the urgent problems faced by people across the world, including here in the UK.