Welsh broadcaster Owain Wyn Evans was completing the final day of his Children in Need challenge on Friday, riding through south Wales as he neared the finish of a 400-mile Four Nations Cycle through Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales. The 42-year-old presenter was due to finish in the heart of Cardiff later that morning, where BBC Wales was preparing a welcome and Pudsey-themed stands were selling cheer-on merchandise.

The Princess of Wales, known as Kate Middleton, sent a message of support on BBC Radio 2, speaking in Welsh: "Bore da Owain. Mae'n Catherine. Rwyt ti'n gwneud mor dda." Translated, she said: "Hi Owain, it's Catherine, you're doing so well. Keep going! Wishing you all the very best!" Evans said her pronunciation was "perfect" and, quoting her, said he had been named by her and mentioned Roger Taylor's "Don't Stop Me Now" and a Queen festive treat due on Monday. Shania Twain, namesake of his bike Shania Chain, also wished him luck before the challenge began.S1S2

Fundraising has been strong throughout the ride. Owain was told his total had reached £2.9 million, and later updates put it at £3,253,828. He described himself as an "emotional wreck" and thanked donors. On the climb through Caerphilly mountain he briefly got off to push his bike for around a minute before continuing.S2

Evans has a long broadcasting background in Wales, beginning in Welsh-language television by presenting the children's news programme Ffeil, and later presenting the weather on BBC Wales Today and the BBC Radio 2 Early Breakfast Show in 2023. The three-hour Children in Need programme that evening was to be broadcast live from Salford, featuring performances, sketches and surprise appearances, airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7pm on Friday.S1