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Christine Bleakley successfully water-skis across the Channel
Alistair FosterUpdated 12:41pm on 12 Mar 2010
Television presenter Christine Bleakley today completed her challenge to water-ski across the Channel.
The One Show host finished her feat in one hour and 40 minutes, although she will be have a few bruises after several bumps and falls.
In pictures: Christine Bleakley's water-ski challenge
Bleakley's challenge had been repeatedly delayed by bad weather but she was finally able to set off from Dover at 7.45am today, dressed in a black head-to-toe wet suit and red lifejacket.
She said: “I can't believe I've actually done it! It took me 100 minutes to water-ski the Channel and I only fell in eight times. It was really tough though — the water was freezing and having to get up after every fall was exhausting. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me along the way, it really kept me going out there.”
The 31-year-old, who is dating Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard, arrived in France under grey skies after her 21-mile trip and braved air temperatures of 5C with a wind chill of just below freezing.
Her journey was expected to raise hundreds of thousands for the Sport Relief effort, although the final amount will not be known until 21 March.
She was supported by her One Show co-host Adrian Chiles, who shouted encouragement through a loudhailer from the support boat.
Bleakley was moved to undertake the challenge following a trip to Uganda with Sport Relief in 2008. As she set off from the beach at Dover this morning, she said: “I've talked about it, I've trained for it. Now I've got to do it.”
The presenter, who managed to raise a smile during the challenge, was put through months of gruelling training by Professor Greg Whyte but struggled to stay upright in the choppy waters.
The arm-aching journey saw her hanging on to the rope while she was dragged along at 20mph. Footage will be shown on The One Show this evening.
A whole host of stars have been taking part in challenges for Sport Relief.
David Walliams, Fearne Cotton and Davina McCall completed a bike ride from John O'Groats to Land's End this month.
In 2006 Walliams raised more than £1 million when he swam the Channel in 10 hours and 34 minutes.
Bleakley asked members of the public to donate what they could to www.sportrelief.com/christine.
Reader views (18)
Great that she did it for charity; but as an accomplishment pretty much anyone could have done it.
- James, London, 15/03/2010 12:53
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Well done Christine . What a wonderful example to us all in the UK .
You really deserve a medal for that !!
- Dave, Trelewis SOUTH WALES UK, 12/03/2010 16:27
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she looks just dandy, well done made a lot of money for a great cause. real sweet heart .God bless you and your family.
- H.Kemal, London, 12/03/2010 16:12
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Can't stand the woman, but nevertheless a grand achievement
- Patric, Southampton, UK, 12/03/2010 16:08
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Brilliant Christine i did`nt think you would do it , so proud of you cant wait to see it on tv tonight.
- Anthony Jones, monmouth, 12/03/2010 14:19
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Very well done Christine, the whole country is proud of you!
- Nev Brand, London, England, 12/03/2010 13:51
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o.k. then Chicken Little let's see you do it since you know so much about it !
Even if she hadn't of completed it, I'd have still praised her for having the sheer guts to try something like that.
But she did, so well done Christine!
- Janet, London, UK, 12/03/2010 13:08
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Great stuff from action woman Christine. But don't become another WAG. theres more to life than that.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 12/03/2010 12:49
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Next time try taking a boat like the rest of us or a train.
- Frank, Copenhagen, Denmark, 12/03/2010 12:43
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THATS WHAT I CALL A WOMAN- I REAL CLASS ACT !!!
IS IT ANY WONDER ' FRANK IS PLAYING WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE'
- Tom, London ., 12/03/2010 12:33
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Chris - who cares, its for charity! And who wants to watch 100 mins of someone waterskiing; you should get out more.
- Nat, London, 12/03/2010 12:26
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Well done Christine, can't help suspecting you are likely to need all the massage expertise possible.
- Ken.H, Harrow. UK, 12/03/2010 12:16
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Well done Christine, you're an inspiration. Now I think you should pass the baton to Adrian to ski the reverse leg 
- Richard, Telford, 12/03/2010 11:57
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Hang on a second. Are we, the general gullible public, expected to believe that she actually 'completed' the entire trip without the help of a few miles completed while sitting in the boat with a cup of tea...are we allowed to see the entire 1h40m of the video - seeing is believing no? 'Edited' highlights just don't was with me....don't get me wrong, I like Christine and think she's lovely, but I can't see her managing this, especially after her 'coach' said this would be difficult, even for a professional....let's see, or have the opportunity if we so wish, to watch the entire 'unabridged' 22mile trip...
- Chicken Little, London, 12/03/2010 11:52
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What a likeable woman with indications of a lovely, decent personality. Probably the most decent woman ever to date a footballer. Well done to her for completing the task.
- Nav, England, 12/03/2010 11:41
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You're an absolute STAR Christine - I wouldn't have done that for all the money in the world! WELL DONE TO YOU. You are a lovely person, and we could do with a few more of you on TV.
- Kerrie, Lowestoft, England, 12/03/2010 11:33
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It's fantastic that Christinee has done this and raised so much money for charity. I have waterskied before and it is so hard. I have so much respect for her doing this - well done Christine, you make us all very proud!
- Chris, London, 12/03/2010 11:10
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Go Christine, good on you! She's such a lovely woman, very down to earth. We want more people like her and less attention seeker wannabes!
- Imogen, Islington, London, 12/03/2010 10:20
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