Vernon Kay tells Paddy McGuinness 'don't look at me' as he fights back tears

Vernon Kay was visibly moved as he told Paddy McGuinness not to look at him after a heartfelt moment. Emotions were at an all-time high on Friday (November 15) night as the nation gathered once again to raise life-changing funds for young people across the country.

viewers tuned in and saw hosts Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Ade Adepitan, Vernon Kay, Lenny Rush, and Chris Ramsey oversee the night and a string of special segments for Children In Need.

However it was one moment that left Vernon Kay fighting back tears as he reunited with close friend , 51, who reached the emotional climax of his cycling challenge.

The TV star tested his endurance to the extreme, taking on an Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge that saw him pedal a staggering 300 miles from to Glasgow on a Raleigh Chopper.

Having completed his charitable cycle from Wales to , Paddy was greeted with a round of apologies as he appeared on stage.

Vernon was unable to control his emotions as he turned to Paddy and said: “Don’t look at me. Don’t look at me.”

Fighting back tears, he continued: “We have spoken everyday and it started off the first two days Monday and Tuesday and we were giving it ‘come on’ and then Tuesday night you slowly started to fall off because you were exhausted but you were really getting some heartfelt messages and that’s when it really started to sink in.”

Paddy got choked up as he explained: "Absolutely and once I went..” As he attempted to finish his sentence Vernon jumped in and said: “Don’t look at me.”

The BBC Radio 2 presenter turned away and continued: “I think physically you can kind of deal with that, the pain you get over that but the emotional side of it, especially when you are interacting with people who are telling you about how they are involved with Children In Need.”

It was then revealed that the former Top Gear and Question of Sport host raised more than £8m on his five-day journey on a customised 1970s children's bike called Patch.

Sir Chris Hoy, the celebrated Olympic champion currently facing a private battle with terminal cancer, surprised Paddy on stage with a giant cheque of all the money that he raised.

Speaking to Paddy he said: “I’ve seen first hand the inspiration you have provided to the nation, young and old, who came out to cheer you on and it was quite incredible. Most importantly they donated.”

Children in Need 2024 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.