Home
TV
Entertainment
Viewers were in tears watching "inspirational" celebrities climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief

Viewers were in tears watching "inspirational" celebrities climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief

It was an emotional journey for Shirley Ballas – and Dan Walker was on hand to provide support

'Kilimanjaro: The Return' for Red Nose Day

Eleanor Bley Griffiths

Published: Thursday, 14 March 2019 at 7:15 pm

This year's Comic Relief expedition to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro turned into an emotional journey – and viewers were touched by the nine celebrities and the way they supported each other all the way to the summit.

The Red Nose Day 2019 challenge saw Ed Balls, Anita Rani, Love Island's Dani Dyer, Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Breakfast presenter Dan Walker, Strictly's Shirley Ballas, Pointless host Alexander Armstrong and NFL star Osi Umenyiora team up to take on the highest mountain in Africa, following in the footsteps of Alesha Dixon and Cheryl who climbed Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief in 2009.

Which celebrities have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief 2019?
When is Red Nose Day on TV? Everything you need to know about Comic Relief 2019
Listen to the RadioTimes.com Podcast now: subscribe on iTunes / subscribe on Google Podcasts

It was a particularly emotional challenge for Ballas. Her brother lost his life to suicide in 2003, and the Strictly Come Dancing judge was determined to complete the challenge in his memory. "I think my brother would be proud of me," she said, as she battled altitude sickness and panic attacks. "So, I'll do this for him. If it means sleeping in a tent and being disorganised, I'll do it. I'll do my very best for sure."

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Twitter may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Twitter and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

Want to see this content?

Accept and continue

Want to see this content?

Accept and continue

Want to see this content?

Accept and continue

Viewers also praised BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker, who stepped up as the group's main cheerleader and motivator – encouraging Ballas and keeping Little Mix star Thirlwall going when she struggled.